MANY of the phrases and sayings we use today have their roots firmly entrenched in the past.

In the 16th century life was tough for your ancestors here in Bolton some living in Firwood Fold.

Many people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and they would still be smelling fairly ok in June.

The custom of carrying a bouquet when walking down the aisle is believed to have derived from the necessity of early brides to carry one to hide any body odour.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water and when you were able to hop in was down to your place in the family.

The man of the house got the nice clean water, followed by sons and men, then the women and lastly the children.

Babies were the final members of the family to enjoy a bath and by then the water was pretty dirty and it was difficult to see anyone in the water.

This is believed to be the reason for the saying “don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”.

Houses had thatched roofs with thick straw piled high and no wood underneath.

It was the only place animals could get any warmth and mice and insects would live in roof.

When it rained the roof would be extremely slippery and animals would fall from the roof.

This could well be the origin of “it’s raining cats and dogs”

The floor was dirty and so the saying “dirt poor” was coined.

The wealthy, such as those at Hall i’th’ Wood, had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet and they would spread thresh or straw on the floor to help them stand steady.

As the winter went on more and more thresh was added until when the door was opened it would fall out. A piece of wood was then laid in the doorway and this became known as a thresh hold.

More next week.