Rule the Roost, To: 🐓
rule the roost, to - To be the boss. This term originated as rule the roast in the fifteenth century. Possibly it even then referred to the rooster, who decides which hen should roost near him except, of course, on long weekends. On the other hand, Thomas Heywood, in his History of Women (ca. 1630), stated, “Her that ruled the roast in the kitchen,” so perhaps it did mean whoever held sway over the kitchen, the heart of a household. Shakespeare used it more broadly, however. In Henry VI, Part 2 (1.1) he refers to “the new-made duke that rules the roast.” In any event, it has been used for bossing anything from a family to an entire nation. Sounds like a poultry in motion, doesn’t it?
Related Terms:
- 💼 Call the shots: To be in charge or make the important decisions. In a sniper’s world, this can make or break a situation.
- 🦁 Top banana: The most important person in a group or organization. Usually seen wielding scepters made out of fruit.
- 🙋♂️ Wear the pants: To be the person in control, especially in a relationship. Fun fact: Kilts do not comply with this idiom.
Similar Expressions:
- King of the castle: Lord of your domain.
- Lead the pack: Be the leader.
- Hold the reins: Have control or power.
Examples in Literature and Media:
- “To rule is easy, to govern difficult.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- 📚 “Animal Farm” by George Orwell: Who you think rules the roost in this classic critique of power?
- 🎵 “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel: Song giving many references to people who’ve ruled their respective roosts over time.
Suggested Entertainment:
- Movie: “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006): One can’t talk about ruling the roost without mentioning Miranda Priestly.
- Book: “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg. Everyone deserves some inspiration on climbing the corporate ladder.
- Poetry: “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman: Master the helm like the titular captain.
Quiz Time! 🥳
Remember, even the rooster had to start roosting somewhere. Keep climbing! 🌟
Henrietta Roostmaster
Published on: 2023-10-01
