We ’ve all been there : Face down on mineral pitch after deluding ourselves into trust we had the physical aptitude to a ride a bicycle without touching the handlebar . One way of boasting of this imminent tragedy is to cry , “ appear Ma , no hands ! ” just before eating pavement .
But where did this phrase originate ?
TheOxford English Dictionarydescribes the phraseas “ … a braggart cry ( earlier and typically by a child to a parent or other adult ) seeking attention or admiration for do a difficult or complicated natural process ( often cycle ) hands - free . ” TheOEDcites the first use of it in a 1937 newspaper cartoon . In theFritzi Ritzstrip by Ernie Bushmiller , who took it over and curtly conform it to focus more on Fritzi ’s dead - eyed nieceNancy , a child is seen tantalize a bike without touching the handlebars while exclaiming “ Yippee ! Look Aunt Fritzi — no hands ! ! ”
Whether the cartoon was emulate something children were already doing or whether it regulate youngster to do it is heart-to-heart to interpretation . Either way , the 1940s broughtmore print mentionsof the phrase or variations of it . While on the face of it mean to be humourous , it was also utilitarian as a cautionary tarradiddle , as in the case of this excerpt fromThe Tatler and Bystanderin London :
A little boy had just had a new bicycle and was proudly prove it off . His mother stood at the gate and watch him . He dash off up the route , and on the retort journey he had his hands off the handlebar .
“ depend , florists' chrysanthemum — no hands ! ” he cry proudly .
“ Oh , do be careful dear , ” say his mother . “ You ’ll hurt yourself . "
The lad grinned cheerfully , and cycle up the route again . The next fourth dimension his mother see him , his feet were swinging escaped in the air .
“ Look , momma — no metrical foot ! "
Again his mother protested feebly , but off he shot again . He did n’t come in back quite so promptly this time , and when he did , he called out , not quite so cheerfully : “ reckon mum — no teeth ! ”
[ h / tword histories ]
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