How did this word get started? What the heck does it mean, and what should it mean! I don’t know if there is a dictionary anymore, but if there is the dictionary definition would be; Understand: to grasp the meaning of; to accept as a fact, or truth, or regard as plausible without utter certainty.
After several months of investigation by the professionals here at the Ford Homestead, we have uncovered the original meaning of the word understand. We also know how it began. Read on to learn the unusual, an almost unreal explanation.
Would you believe, our story begins many years ago in a small village known as New York? There was a fellow who was a painter named Willie and he had one worker name Billy Bob. Willie painted houses and buildings, Billy Bob was his helper.
Willie had a job painting this barn which meant he would be up on the ladder most of the day. Back in the olden days their ladders were made of wood and were not very sturdy. Billy Bob’s job was to mix up the paint, and hold the ladder for Willie when he was painting.
Willie had his brush in hand and a bucket of paint, the long ladder was leaning against the wall. He instructed Billy Bob to hold the ladder as he climbed to the upper part of the barn wall. Willie did not trust Billy Bob so he would have him stand under the ladder (between the ladder and the wall) so he could look down and see that Billy Bob was holding the ladder.
The painting began and all was well. One area was painted and Willie climbed down from the ladder so Billy Bob could move it over a little and then he climbed back up the ladder and began to paint again. This went on for an hour or so until Willie looked down and Billy Bod was not under the ladder holding it. Willie was furious as he climbed down from the ladder. Billy Bob had walked over to the tree and sad down to rest.
Willie was screaming at Billy Bob, “Why weren’t you standing under my ladder holding it?” Billy Bob said he did not know why Willie wanted him to be under the ladder standing. Willie said, “You must stand under the ladder so I will not fall”! Billy Bob said, “So I am the understand? That is when Willie said, “If you don’t understand the ladder I will fire you! Billy Bob said, “I will understand”!
So now you know how the term understand began. It meant to stand under and now it means, to grasp the meaning of; to accept as a fact, or truth, or regard as plausible without utter certainty.
I hope you understand!
Author of true stories; Don Ford
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