I would like to know where this expression came from and particularly if there is another word that describes this concept.
2006-12-11 04:41:50 · 9 answers · asked by spotgibson 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I am going to take a stab at this. I think it has to do with being able to hear horses hoofs on the ground as they are approaching during war.
I may be wrong though.
2006-12-11 04:44:11 · answer #1 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It actually extends back farther than you think. Though the American Indians did do it, they were not the first. There have been trackers throughout the centuries in a variety of countries that did the very same thing. The question has no bearing on who did it first, it is who said it or started it. I do think that it started in the early pioneer and exploration days of imperialism. The prupose of course being to track people, know of on-coming enemies or friends, and be attentive to your surroundings. It picked up popularity during the wars because of the need for tracking your enemy and knowing when it is coming.
2006-12-11 04:51:45 · answer #2 · answered by The Shadow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not have a specific, proven or known answer but if you are old enough you might remember old Tonto listening to the ground and telling Kemo Sabe (The Lone Ranger) that many riders were coming. Similarly in ancient China drums were set in deep holes of listening posts where listening stations could hear the sound if armies were moving nearby. I think it means to be aware yof your surroundings and pay attention to what is going on around you. Again, these are personal opinions and I think logical ones.
2006-12-11 04:49:08 · answer #3 · answered by Robert P 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It came from some cowboys with an Indian guide back in the 1950's... It went something like this...
The Indian raised one hand and told the cowboys to be quiet, he then lay down on the ground and put his ear to the earth and said "Buffalo come" to which the cowboys replied "How do you know Indian guide?" The Indian replied "face stuck to floor".
Merry Christmas one and all :)
2006-12-11 06:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Watch Lord of the Rings: The Two towers. When you see what Aragorn does to try and find the hobbits who have been kidnapped by the Uruk'hai, it is self explanatory.
2006-12-11 04:51:09 · answer #5 · answered by ana_is_a_cat 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The American Indians used to put their ear to the ground to listen for advancing troops. (To hear the hoofbeats of the horses.) By doing this,they could prepare to battle or move-whatever was required.
2006-12-11 04:45:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
the answer talking about the indians is correct; they are the one's credited with the technique.
phrases similar to this are "keep your gaurd up" and "keep your eyes open". basically, all of these prhases are saying "make sure you are ready for anything!".
2006-12-11 04:51:58 · answer #7 · answered by Michael JB 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tonto's ear got stuck to the ground because of buffalo goo.
2006-12-11 04:44:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
The Bomb Squad.
2006-12-11 04:50:30 · answer #9 · answered by robert m 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋