WordPlay Wanderings: GIRD
The expression "to gird one's loins" is not about preparing one's loins, but about getting one's clothing out of the way before commencing a strenuous or messy activity -- engaging in battle, working the tilth, pressing grapes, whatever.
One would raise the lower garments (tunic, gown, robe, etc.) and fasten them around the hips by tucking them into a belt or girdle, thus girdling, or encircling, the loins with the fabric.
One would raise the lower garments (tunic, gown, robe, etc.) and fasten them around the hips by tucking them into a belt or girdle, thus girdling, or encircling, the loins with the fabric.
An illustrated guide to girding the loins may be found HERE.
The expression is now used metaphorically, of course, and has come to mean to prepare oneself for any strenuous or difficult task.*
We think of a girdle as a ladies' foundational undergarment, but for centuries the word has been used to something that encircles the waist -- a belt, an ornamental chain, etc. It has the same root as girth (also a Bee word), which can mean the circumference of something (a waist, a tree) or the strap used to secure a saddle on a horse, donkey, etc.
The word girdle can also be used as a verb, such as when one girdles a tree by cutting into the bark all the way around in order to hasten its death.
* The metaphorical process of girding one's metaphorical loins might leave one's metaphorical legs bare, so one is still, metaphorically, vulnerable to attack. Hence greaves, at least metaphorically. In other words, take care not to leave yourself vulnerable.
The expression is now used metaphorically, of course, and has come to mean to prepare oneself for any strenuous or difficult task.*
We think of a girdle as a ladies' foundational undergarment, but for centuries the word has been used to something that encircles the waist -- a belt, an ornamental chain, etc. It has the same root as girth (also a Bee word), which can mean the circumference of something (a waist, a tree) or the strap used to secure a saddle on a horse, donkey, etc.
The word girdle can also be used as a verb, such as when one girdles a tree by cutting into the bark all the way around in order to hasten its death.
* The metaphorical process of girding one's metaphorical loins might leave one's metaphorical legs bare, so one is still, metaphorically, vulnerable to attack. Hence greaves, at least metaphorically. In other words, take care not to leave yourself vulnerable.
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