Foot March 18, 2006 "Foot in Mouth" "Did I say just say THAT? Did I really say that?" Soon, not a leg to stand on!

Having been in this uncomfortable position too often in my life, it is what I immediately thought of when I pondered the FOOT theme.

A web search on the origin of this phrase turned up only:

"Foot in mouth comes from "foot in mouth disease," a pun on "hoof and mouth disease" and the colloquial saying "put one's foot in one's mouth." From "Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, A-G" by J.E. Lighter."

One querant at the word origin discussion forum asked if this ailment has anything to do with the dreaded "cranial-rectal inversion". I think this is maybe a complication of the earlier disease. First, 'foot in mouth', then 'no leg to stand on', then the head follows the feet. It's a balled up mess, it is.

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Small wonder the best advice often is "to keep your mouth shut."    

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