Phraseological Fun

I have an ongoing series of blog posts entitled "As They Say in Zanzibar," quoting interesting and odd sayings from around the world. Similarly, this post is the second in this series and it explains the origins of common terms and phrases.

Bull Pen
Why is the spot where a pitcher warms up called a "bull pen"?
The term comes from the fact that in newspaper reporting a pitcher whose delivery is hit hard is said to have been "slaughtered." This led to comparing pitchers with bulls and the game with a bull fight. When one pitcher was hit out of the box and another sent it, the reporters wrote "another bull was led to the slaughter." At a bull fight, there is a "bull pen" close to the arena where the bulls are kept, waiting their turn. Thus, the place where the relief pitcher warms up, waiting to be called, is named the "bull pen."

Crocodile Tears
How did false emotion get the name "crocodile tears"?
The expression comes from what was once believed to be a fanciful tale of ancient travelers who said that the crocodile weeps over those he eats - and isn't sorry at all. But a crocodile does cry as it eats. For when a crocodile's mouth is full of food, the food presses at the top of the mouth and this releases tears from the lachrymal glands.

Funny-Bone
What is the reason the spot at our elbow is called a "funny-bone"?
It's a pun. This spot not only give us a "funny feeling when we hit it; it's also located at the enlarged end of the bone known to medical science as the "humerus."

Minister
How did a "minister" come to be called that?
The word literally refers to an "inferior person" or "servant." The original idea was that a minister was supposed to serve the parishioners. This idea has not yet completely disappeared.

Quiz
How did "quiz" come into the English language?
Because of a bet. A man named Daly, who was manager of the Dublin Theatre, made a bet that he would introduce into the Enlgish language within twenty-four hours a new word that had no meaning. Accordingly, on every wall in Dublin and every other place accessible, Daly had chalked up the four mystic letters Q-U-I-Z. That day all Dublin was inquiring what they meant, the people saying to each other: "Quiz? Quiz? What does that mean?" Daly won his bet - and the word has remained in our language to this day. It is quite probable, however, that his choice of letters - or at least, the continued popularity of the term - was influenced by the similarity in sound and meaning to the word "inquisition."

Tip
What is the reason we call a gratuity a "tip"?
Years ago in English inns and taverns it was customary for the patrons to drop a coin for the benefit of the waiters into a box placed on the wall. On the box was a little sign which said: "To insure promptness." Later, just the initials of the phrase were put on the box - T.I.P.

Source: "Why Do We Say It?" Published by Castle Books, no author listed.