Volume XL

I. Pass the Buck 🃏

In 19th-century American poker, players used a marker — often a knife with a buckhorn handle — to signal who was up to deal. If you didn’t feel like shuffling, you slid the “buck” to the next poor soul.

Over time, that simple dodge turned into the modern idea of avoiding responsibility.

So next time you push bibliography duties onto your group member, just know you passed the buck.

II. Wouldn’t Touch It with a Barge Pole ⛴️

This phrase comes from old British canals, where workers used long wooden poles to push and steer barges from a safe distance.

So if you “wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole,” it means whatever you’re talking about is so questionable you won’t go anywhere near it.

Today, it’s ignoring the LinkedIn message from that fringe college friend trying to shill you on a permanent life insurance policy. Or politely sidestepping your grandma’s green bean casserole this Thanksgiving.

With all due respect, you wouldn’t touch either one with a barge pole.

III. Happy as a Clam 🦪

Some say this one comes from the simple observation that an open clam shell resembles a cheeky grin. Cute, but far from the whole story.

Originally, fishermen said “happy as a clam at high tide” — because high water meant clams were safely out of reach, spared from nets, shovels, and the dinner table.

A clam at high tide was “big chilling,” as the kids say.

Over time, the tide part washed away, but the clam stayed smiling — at least the ones that avoided the chowder.

Keep on sending on. Forward to a friend.