Are you 'under he thumb'?

A bird of prey with its handler - This falcon gave a great display for the crowds at Tatton Hall Medieval Day
June 23, 2008 6:27am CST
Just before we set off on our vacation 'proper' we attended a medieval battle reenctment and display at Tatton Hall in Cheshire, England. One of the many fascinating displays was of falconry and we were treated to the sights and sounds of birds of prey being put through their paces. When the bird return to the handler, it is controlled by leather straps attached to the bird's feet and these are placed 'under the thumb' literally. That's where we get the saying. Also, when the bird has brough its prey to the ground, it spreads its wings to cover the food from sight of any other predator. This process is called 'mantling' and it's where we get the phrase of a mantle as a cloak or mantle pice which 'covers' the fire and protects it. I'm always interested to learn the origin of phrases used in everyday language.
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2 responses
Ruth Belena
@paid2write (5201)
•
23 Jun 08
I didn't know about the origin of the name for a mantlepiece. I have been to some falconry displays and I know someone who keeps birds of prey and used to give those demonstrations at Leighton Hall in Lancashire. He trained one of the biggest birds to fly low over the heads of the spectators and warned anyone wearing a wig to hold on to it!
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newzealtralian
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
11 Jul 08
Well, I suppose they still fit todays meaning of the sayings, so it just goes to show how old sayings still have relevance in our modern world. I love these sayings you have found the origins of. It is really interesting to see where they really began.