Keep a stiff upper lip
Posted by Maryann King on July 02, 2008 at 17:22
"Keep a stiff upper lip" means 'having courage'.
I was told this originated when men had to load gunpowder into their muskets by opening the powder pouch with their teeth. Therefore, some men would deliberately knock out their two front teeth so they couldn't be conscripted.
- Keep a stiff upper lip Victoria S Dennis 02/July/08
- Keep a stiff upper lip David FG 03/July/08
- Keep a stiff upper lip Lewis 03/July/08
- Keep a stiff upper lip murrmac 02/August/08
- Keep a stiff upper lip Lewis 03/July/08
- Keep a stiff upper lip David FG 03/July/08