SHAGGY DOG:If we are Breaking Breadtogether, we are sharing a meal and holding conversation in a congenial, open and friendly manner. This expression can be traced to the Last Supper when Jesus sat down with his disciples, broke a loaf of bread and shared it around with some wine.
Not much of a party, but it was the best they could expect in those days.
In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, as later reported in the New Testament, 1.Cor.11:23, he describes the scene: "the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you'." Some 30 years later, Luke, agreeing with Paul's account, describes the same scene (Luke 22:19-20).
This tradition has lasted for 2,000 years, with the rite of the Eucharist being that part of the Christian Mass during which the bread is blessed, becoming the body of Christ, and is given to each member of the congregation.
This is followed by wine, which is also blessed to become the blood of Christ.
However, a small, dry wafer had now replaced bread for the service.
A Smart Aleckis someone just too clever for their own good. It has been recorded that the most likely origin for this expression is the New York City con man and fraudster Aleck Hoag.
During the 1840s, the scoundrel had his wife posing as a prostitute and between them they would rob their customers, knowing few men would report the crime to the police under such compromising circumstances. However, on some occasions the pair were caught, although Hoag managed to escape prosecution by bribing the officers involved.
But then Hoag tried to be a little too clever by cutting the arresting policeman out of the deal, convinced this would be overlooked should previous police corruption become apparent during any prosecution, but he was wrong and found himself in jail. Policemen in New York from then onwards used the expression "smart aleck" to describe anyone pushing their luck too far.
If we describe a person as Stuck Upit is safe to assume they are a little aloof and behaving in a superior manner. The expression recalls the way peacocks habitually "stick up" their tail feathers as if to display their importance or superiority over fellow peacocks.
The Tower of London is traditionally guarded by Yeoman Warders, who have been called Beefeaterssince the latter half of the 15th century.
Formed in 1485 as the royal bodyguard at Henry VII's coronation, they were also known as the Yeoman of the Guard. Henry VIII appointed them as warders at the Tower of London, called the Yeoman Extraordinary of the Guard, during the early 16th century, and we know that around that time servants were called "eaters", with those of a slightly higher rank labelled "loafeaters".
In keeping with their elevated status, the Yeoman Warders became known at the Tower as Beefeaters, reflecting the generous meat rations they were given.
• Extracted from Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheepby Albert Jack (Penguin Books)