Shakespeare's writings are the source of so many of our common sayings. Brilliant writer and maybe one day we'll find out who he really was, or did he really exist. It seems extraordinary that so much amazing writing was produced by a single person. Maybe it was a "group write" done by performers as they rehearsed his plays.

Taut ship or tight ship This nautical phrase is used to describe a ship whose crew is well-disciplined and whose efficiency rating is high. During WWII, the phrase used was mostly taut ship. Presumably it comes from the days of sailing vessels when lines drawn taut would be sign of a shipshape craft and crew. (THE FIRST ONE DISAPPEARED - AGAIN!)

Sight for sore eyes A very old expression and means “a very welcome sight,” especially one that is unexpected, such as the sudden appearance of an old friend. The Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs gives as an example this quotation from a book published in 1836: “What a sight for sore eyes it would be to see Garrick act.” In Jonathan Swift’s “Polite Conversation” (1736) he wrote: The sight of you is good for sore eyes.”

You reminded me of my parents and grandparents who always played pinochle...when they were losing or had a losing hand, they always said they were in a pickle.