Reliving History

Reliving History next month is all about re-enactments, living history and the people within the hobby. It is also about photography of the people and events that forms the public community for the group. Enjoy the site, the photographs and the stories.

K is for Knee-high to a . . .

Submitted by david d on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 22:40

Kick: to protest or to object to something; to complain.

  • 1842: [Members of Congress] kicked against receiving any more petitions. Philadelphia Spirit of the Times, January
  • 1857: I have to live under their laws, and when they take a notion to swear away my character, I musn't kick. J.G. Holland, The Bay Path, p.69
  • 1888: The tariff is of no good to [the colored man]. But that is not what he kicks about. New York Herald, July 29

Knee-high to a... : humorous description of short stature or youth.

  • 1824: He has lived with me ever since he was knee-high to a musquitoe. Letter to the Microscope, Albany, June 12
  • 1833: A bit of a rogue he was, too, when he wasn't more'n knee-high to a bumblebee. John Neal, The Downeasters, p.78
  • 1841: He has been known in the Congaree ever since I was knee high to a splinter. W.G. Simms, The Kinsmen, p.63
  • 1853: To see little saplings, some of them scarce knee-high to a milk-stool ... bigger b'hoys, green as unsunned pumpkins… Dow, Patent Sermons
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