Where did that come from?

I have such a diverse variety of interests that I imagine it might be hard to keep up with me and where I might be going. Or maybe not.

I have acquired an interest in finding out where some sayings came from. How did it come to be popular?

For instance, the saying "not my cup of tea". How did that get started?

First, I learned that those sayings are called idioms. A deep dive into this saying.....

The idiom not my cup of tea means something isn’t to your liking or doesn’t align with your preferences. Picture yourself eating an oatmeal raisin cookie when you despise raisins, and chocolate chip is your favorite. That disappointment is the essence of this idiom.

Originating from Britain’s vast love affair with tea, this idiom steers clear of hot water and dips into personal preferences. Idioms are just common phrases that aren’t meant to be taken literally. They spice up our conversations and stir emotions. But only if you use it correctly.

So, pour yourself a cuppa, (I am sipping Earl Grey as I type) and let’s go over the meaning, origin, and proper use of the idiom not my cup of tea.

Not my cup of tea is a polite way to express disinterest or dislike for something. It’s the go-to phrase for the British when they’re trying to be politely disdainful. The phrase has no literal connection to tea preferences but serves as a metaphorical expression of personal taste.

Many sources suggest that the origin of this phrase is steeped in Britain’s rich tea culture. In the 17th and 18th centuries, tea wasn’t just a beverage; it was an event, a societal activity. The idiom itself first surfaced in the late 1800s, originally as a positive assertion: my cup of tea meant something someone liked. But by the 20th century, the negative version, not my cup of tea, became far more popular and used to describe something someone didn’t care for.

How did all this come to mind? I am a tea drinker. I love my morning Lady Grey or Earl Grey. Lately I have taken up drinking 2 cups of spearmint tea per day. Supposedly that decreases a particular unwanted hormone called androgen out of the system. That is something I wish to do for my body.

Oh no, tea is not my exclusive drink of choice. My morning 2 cups of real, honest to goodness coffee is irreplaceable. That's a must.

Had that homemade pizza for dinner last night. It was yummy and welcome. Best pizza crust ever. I chose black olives, mushrooms, onions, spinach and chicken for my toppings. Lots of mozarella, a simple tomato sauce with Italian Herbs and that was it.

Did you try my special recipe for crust?

Yes.....I did do some badges yesterday. This batch was a little bit more simplistic and to the point.