2007-02-07 23:45:01 · 8 answers · asked by twinmumoct06 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I think it is maybe regarding the Victorian chimney sweep!
It seems that children were first used as sweeps since the skilled child was small and could easily work his way vertically through the confined space, clearing blockages and removing the build up of soot by hand.
While in training the apprentice was sometimes dropped head first down the chimney which caused severe cerebral damage. Hence the phrase.
Daft as a brush
2007-02-08 01:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by CLIVE H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if anyone does know for sure, hearken to the Oxford English Dictionary's wordhunt team's impassioned plea to know too! . . .
". . .Why are you daft as a brush, rather than daft as a mop or a feather duster? Was it a phrase invented by chimney sweeps? Or was it coined by huntsmen in reference to the tail of a fox, an animal traditionally thought to be cunning rather than crazy. Any evidence from before 1945 might help to ease the OED’s brain ache. . ."
2007-02-08 07:44:05 · answer #2 · answered by waif 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from a TV show that was made in 1975 in the UK. Also from a book and DVD, at least it was used in those items.
2007-02-08 00:03:39 · answer #3 · answered by Carlene W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
iss daft as a BUSH, Gorge Bush, ant ole Doubleyah, se iss obvous.
2007-02-07 23:52:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Same place as "Thick as two short planks" and "Nutty as a fruit cake" and "Mad as a box of fish" and "Off his rocker" maybe Norfolk
2007-02-07 23:52:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always liked "queer as a cartload of monkeys"
2007-02-07 23:53:42 · answer #6 · answered by savs 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's because brooms can't talk.
2007-02-07 23:50:45 · answer #7 · answered by FIZZYMIA 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
gazza!
2007-02-07 23:47:07 · answer #8 · answered by a.c 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋