PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP
Meaning: Carefully and thoughtfully consider something
Origin: In previous centuries, it was customary for judges to put a cap on before sentencing criminals. Because judges were respected thinkers, it was referred to as a “thinking cap”
PAINT THE TOWN RED
Meaning: Spend a wild night out, usually involving drinking
Origin: “This colorful term … probably originated on the frontier. In the nineteenth century the section of town where brothels and saloons were located was known as the ‘red light district.’ So a group of lusty cowhands out for a night on the town might very well take it into their heads to make the whole town red.” [via]
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Reader Comments
You’re wrong about the origin of “Paint the town red” it actually originated in England in the 1800s. One night some guys randomly painted parts of the town Melton Mowbray the color red.
Written by Ben on 02.28.09