Posted by Charlie S (206.159.166.124) on September 09, 2001 at 21:51:10:
The following is a true story ---- You know how people are always
wondering how certain phrases came into being, like "Don't shoot till
you see the whites of their eyes" and "Remember the Alamo" and so on. A
lot of people asked me where the saying "You gotta be shittin' me" came
from. It so happens I know.
Way back, George Washington was crossing the Delaware river with his
troops. They were packed into the boats. It was extremely dark and
storming furiously. The water was tossing them back and forth. Finally
Washington grabbed Corporal Peters and stationed him at the front of the
boat with a lantern.He ordered him to keep swinging it so they could see
where they were heading.
Corporal Peters stood up, braving the wind and driving rain, swinging
the
lantern back and forth. A while later a big gust of wind hit and threw
Corporal Peters and his lantern into the Delaware. Washington and his
troops searched for hours trying to find Corporal Peters but to no avail
. All of them felt terrible for the Corporal had been one their
favorites.
An hour later Washington and his troops landed on the other side, wet
and totally exhausted. He rallied the troops and told them they must go
on.
An hour later Washington and his men could go no further. One of his men
said, "General, I see lights ahead." They trudged towards the lights
and came upon a huge house there in the woods.
What they didn't know was this was a house of ill repute hidden in the
forest to serve all who came.
General Washington pounded on the door, his men crowding around him. The
door swung open and the madam looked out to see Washington and all his
men standing there. A huge smile came across her face to see so many men
standing there.
Washington spoke up, "Ma'am, I'm General George Washington and these are
my men. We're tired and exhausted and desperately need warmth and
comfort for a while."
Again the Madam looked at all the men standing there and with a broad
smile on her face said, "Well, General, you have come to the right
place.
We can surely give you warmth and comfort. How many men do you have?"
Washington said " Well, ma'am, there are thirty two of us without
Peters."
Madam said, "You gotta be shittin' me."
Smiles.....Charlie :^)