👍 Under the Thumb: Control at Your Fingertips 🦶
Definition
Being “under the thumb” means to be under someone’s influence or power.
Strangely enough, the thumb became a symbol of control or power as early as the mid-eighteenth century.
Citation: “Authors . . . are under the thumb of booksellers,” – B. H. Malkin (in his translation of Gil Blas, 1809).
The reality holds as true today as it did centuries ago, proving that certain clichés stand the test of time.
Related and Similar Terms
- Under someone’s wing: To be protected or nurtured by someone.
- At someone’s beck and call: Always ready to obey someone’s commands.
- In the palm of one’s hand: Controlled entirely by someone.
- Under one’s sway: Completely influenced or controlled by someone.
Humor-Filled Quotes
“Why do we say ‘under the thumb’ and not ‘under the pinky’? Thumbs are big bullies, that’s why!” – Anonymous
Proverbs & Expressions
- “Every bird must hatch its own eggs.” – Meaning everyone must solve their own problems; though sometimes, someone’s thumb might feel heavy indeed.
- “Give someone a hand, they take an arm!” – This points out how some people exert control by taking more than offered.
Recommendations in Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
Literature
- 1984 by George Orwell: If you want life really under the thumb, look no further!
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: A poignant narrative of women under control.
Music
- “You’ve Got the Power” by James Brown: Get ready to dance, knowing you’re not under anyone’s thumb while you grooooove.
Movies
- The Devil Wears Prada: Experience what it’s like to be under the thumb of a perfectionist in high fashion.
Intriguing and Engaging Quizzes
And there we have it, folks! A peek under the metaphorical thumb reveals influence, power, and a finger much larger than its size suggests! While the thumb started flexing its control muscles centuries ago, it seems it’s in no rush to relinquish its singular status.
Keep your thumbs limber and your minds liberated!
Penelope Prose signing off, October 2023
⭐ Remember, reading between the lines frees us from what’s “under the lines”! ⭐
