Um....hams are always trying to be the center of attention and the ham is often the centerpiece of dinner?????? I'm going to feel stupid when you tell me the answer, aren't I?
I love learning about the origins of words and phrases. My guess is that it may originally had to do with being clumsy, as in ham-fisted, ie, having hands as big as hams. I heard the term ham-fisted as a kid. I doubt it's used much anymore. But I can how being ham-fisted or being clumsy, could have led to being clownish. How old the term is I have no idea.
Thanks for being such good sports. I love to see the guesses. Don't know if you've ever played Balderdash but this is kind of the same thing, where you make up something and people have to guess whether it's right or a made up description.
5 comments:
Um....hams are always trying to be the center of attention and the ham is often the centerpiece of dinner?????? I'm going to feel stupid when you tell me the answer, aren't I?
I love learning about the origins of words and phrases. My guess is that it may originally had to do with being clumsy, as in ham-fisted, ie, having hands as big as hams. I heard the term ham-fisted as a kid. I doubt it's used much anymore. But I can how being ham-fisted or being clumsy, could have led to being clownish. How old the term is I have no idea.
Thanks for being such good sports. I love to see the guesses. Don't know if you've ever played Balderdash but this is kind of the same thing, where you make up something and people have to guess whether it's right or a made up description.
I'm guessing vaudeville.
I love Balderdash!
I don't know, but I do wonder...
Post a Comment