Me please mee!!! - I know this one!

Posted by Lewis on September 21, 2004

In Reply to: Your on the threshold posted by ESC on September 21, 2004

: : : I was wondering if anybody knew the meaning and origin of the phrase, 'your on the threshold'

: : OED online says:
: : /threshold, threshhold/

: : . noun 1 a strip of wood or stone forming the bottom of a doorway and crossed on entering a house or room. 2 a level or point at which something would start or cease to happen or come into effect.

: : - ORIGIN Old English, related to THRESH (in the sense 'tread').

: Some past discussion at www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 14 messages 663.html

I read this in an architectural history book:

the straw on olde worlde floors was called 'the thresh' from threshing - the separation of the grain from the stalks. it was the stalks that were used on the floor of houses to reduce the wetness of floors which were either flagged or compacted earth.
across the doorway - which was usually a poor fit - a strip of wood or, if wealthier, stone was used to keep the thresh (or 'reeds') inside the building. thus it was called the 'thresh-hold'.

do I get any house-points?

• Me please mee!!! - I know this one! Bob 21/September/04
  • Me please mee!!! - I know this one! David FG 21/September/04
    • Er Lewis 21/September/04
      • You're on the threshold Lexi 21/September/04
        • You're on the threshold Kristy Hibbert 21/September/04