💸 Well-Heeled: Trodding the Path of Prosperity 👞
Ever wondered why we associate prosperity with heels? The idiom “well-heeled” traces its origins back to a time when one’s footwear could tell a tale about one’s fortune.
Meaning
Well-heeled (adj.): To be prosperous or affluent.
Origins
This late nineteenth-century Americanism presumably refers to someone who is well-off, signifying an individual who is not down at the heels but is well shod. In simpler terms, having intact and fine shoes indicated financial well-being.
A Quote from Yesteryears
“To travel long out West, a man must be, in the local phrase, ‘well heeled,’” wrote W. Beadle (The Undeveloped West, 1873).
Similar Terms and Synonyms
- Loaded: Having substantial wealth.
- Flush: Feeling flush with cash.
- Rolling in Dough: Rich enough to roll around in flour if you so desired.
Antonyms
- Broke: Out of money.
- Penniless: Without any means of support.
- Down-and-Out: Destitute.
Humor-Filled Quotes
“Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can rent a lot of it!” – Anonymous
Proverbs
“A pigeon is considered wealthy when the stroll he has is clumsy—his pockets loaded."—Unknown
Suggested Literature
- “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald Dive into the tale of Jay Gatsby, a man who presents himself as well-heeled but conceals shadows behind his affluence.
- “Moll Flanders” by Daniel Defoe A riveting account of the rise and survival of a woman who grasps at prosperity all her life.
- “Vanity Fair” by William Makepeace Thackeray A satirical journey through 19th-century England and the notion of wealth.
Songs
- “She Works Hard for the Money” by Donna Summer
- “Material Girl” by Madonna
- “If I Had $1,000,000” by Barenaked Ladies
Movies
- “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006) A heart-warming tale about overcoming hardship to achieve prosperity.
- “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) A chaotic exploration of obscene prosperity and its pitfalls.
Quiz Time! 🌟
Remember, each time you put on a pair of pristine shoes, think of it not just as an act of getting dressed, but as a tiny nugget of historical richness. Walk with pride and may you always be “well-heeled.”
Till our next idiom adventure, keep those heels mighty and hearts light.
—Penny Proverb, October 2023
