Idioms or Idiots?

We've been spending a fair amount of time recently working out what idioms mean. Most folks use them with regularity and really, without a thought. For those who aren't well-versed, you'll be familiar if I share a few samples:

A dime a dozen, sick as a dog, spitting image, the straw that broke the camel's back, you are what you eat, piece of cake, add fuel to the fire, a chip on your shoulder... well, you get the idea.

Interstingly, Jackson is a pretty literal kid (thank you Asperger's) and, in my humble opinion, he is also the best person to be around when idioms are used - he really makes you think:

- Why do we call something simple a piece of cake? For real? Is that just the 8 1/2 x 11 cake pan cake or a wedding cake? Because a wedding cake is not simple.

- Or why do we say someone is as sick as a dog? Whose dog was that sick that they got the phrase for keeps? And, did the dog get better?

- Slap on the wrist. Whose parents hit them? Don't they know that's not good?

- A fool and his money are soon parted. Didn't their parents know not to give him money, then? He probably needs help with it!


So, huh. We use these words all the time without hesitation because we heard them growing up and inherently came to know them. On the other hand, a good analysis prompts the very reasonable quesion: idioms or idiots?!