During the Revolutionary War, a prominent New Jersey jurist, Judge Imlay, hadn’t yet committed to either the revolutionaries or the loyalists.
So when Washington encountered one of Imlay’s slaves he asked him which way the judge was leaning.
Washington was so amused by the response that he retold it enough times for it to become part of our language.
He said, “Until my master knows which is the strongest group, he’s staying on the fence.”
Related Posts
-
What Does “Sitting In the Catbird Seat” Mean and Where Did the Expression Come From?
The expression "Sitting in the catbird seat" means you have an advantage over the opposition. The catbird is a thrush, and like its cousin, the mockingbird, perches among the highest branches of a…
-
Who invented the Electronic Dog Collar and How does an invisible fence keep your dog from straying?
How do you keep Fido faithful to the homefront in the face of overwhelming temptation, a female trotting by or the cat next door? Traditional fencing is pricey, and furthermore, some dogs dig…
-
Where Is the World’s Longest Fence?
Can you imagine a fence long enough to stretch from New York City all the way to California? There is such a fence, and it's in Queensland, a part of Australia. The Australians…
-
Where is there a wall or fence along the border that separates Mexico from the United States?
In some places along the border there is a barrier that separates Mexico from the United States. At Tijuana, Mexico, a ten-foot-high steel wall separates the two countries, a wall that people climb…
-
Does sitting too close to the TV really ruin your eyes?
Not according to experts. In fact, children can focus up close without eyestrain better than adults. That is because the lens, which changes its focus for nearby and faraway viewing, tends to lose…
-
Who was Sitting Bull and When the leader of the Lakota Sioux born?
Born in about 1831, Sitting Bull was perhaps the most respected leader of the Lakota Sioux during their war with the U.S. Army in the late nineteenth century. His people's faith in his…
