Sleep Tight

Watch this on YouTube here - Sleep Video - YouTube Video

Meaning:

Sleep Tight means to sleep well, undisturbed. “Sleep tight”

Origin:

Sleep tight is quite a common phrase it's used in many parts of the English-speaking world.

It's common at bedtime in the form of the rhyme

"good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite".

The one piece of this phrase that gets a lot of questions is the word tight, there are several theories going around as to the origin of sleep tight.

The most common suggestion is that the phrase dates from the days when mattresses were supported by ropes which needed to be pulled tight to provide a well-sprung bed.

However, 'Sleep tight' didn't derive from ancient furniture and, in fact, isn't a very old expression at all. The word tight has a meaning of ‘safely’ or ‘soundly. So the phrase sleep tight meant to sleep soundly. The first citation of it that I can find is from 1866. In the diary by Susan Bradford Eppes called Through Some Eventful Years, it reads:

The saying became popular with the song Good Night in the album Beatlemania in 1968 when the songs sang:

Now it's time to say good night,
Good night. Sleep tight.

Example:

Today we still use sleep tight as a way to say good night and have a restful and sound sleep. An example sentence is:

“It has been a long day; I am going to bed now. Good night and sleep tight.”

Watch this on YouTube here - Sleep Video - YouTube Video

Comments

As Snug as a Bug in a Rug

As Snug As A Bug In A Rug Watch this on YouTube here - Staying In - YouTube Video Meaning: As snug as a bug in a rug means to be very comfortable and cozy. Example Sentence: “Aww, look at her cuddled up, as snug as a bug in a rug.” Origin: This phrase has been around for a while. The original writing of it was in 1769, in David Garrick's celebration of Shakespeare Garrick's vagary, or, England run mad; with particulars of the Stratford Jubilee. It reads: "If she has the mopus's, I'll have her, as snug as a bug in a rug." ( Mopus being a slang word for "money," naturally.) As snug as a bug in a rug started out with a much different meaning than it has today. The word “snug” was a nautical term; it was first used as an adjective in the 16th century to describe the trim, neat, compact design of a ship. Shortly after that, snug started to be used as a verb and meant “to lie close" (as in "snugging up/together for warmth or ...

Cold Hand, Warm Heart

Cold Hands, Warm Heart Watch this on YouTube here - Staying In - Youtube Video Meaning: Cold hands, warm heart alludes to people who have cold hands, have kind and loving personalities. Example Sentence: Jessica: "I don't like holding hands with Steve. His hands are so cold." Taylor: "Cold hands, warm heart." Origin: This phrase has been around since the 1700’s and is said to come from a French phrase Froides mains, chaudes amours, from Dictionnaire des proverbes françois by Georges de Backer in (1710). The phrase has held the same meaning since it has been written. This idiom has been alive for a while and is still used today. The first English text of the phrase cold hands, warm heart was in 1903 by V.S. Lean in 'Collectanea." " Cold Hands, Warm Heart" The expression does not only exist in English and French but is also known in German as Kalte Hand, Warmez Herz. Today we use it to say just because a person might s...

Off the Beaten Track

Off the Beaten Track Watch this on YouTube here - Traveling Video - YouTube Video Meaning: Off the Beaten Track or path means Little-known, or in a remote or lesser-known area. away from the frequently traveled routes. unique or uncommon. “Well, this place is off the beaten track.” Origin: The term beaten track alludes to a well-worn path trodden down by many feet, the usual route or method this term was first recorded in 1638. So, when we add the word OFF to the phrase “off the beaten track” we are now talking about an unusual route or destination. We can hear this phrase used as off the beaten track or off the beaten path. In America they use path and in Europe, they like to use track. Example: Today we still hear this phrase being used when we want to do something out of the ordinary, explore places that are not popular, or to be away from the crowds, an example sentence is: “We we...

Origins of Expressions

Search This Blog