Question

[triskellian]

What are tenterhooks?

Comments

Tenterhooks

[kesstrel.livejournal.com]

If you are waiting anxiously for the outcome of something you are on them.


But yes, tenterhooks...hooks to fasten cloth to a tenter. A tenter is a frame for stretching cloth or leather.
:)

Re: Tenterhooks

[triskellian]

If you are waiting anxiously for the outcome of something you are on them.
Thanks! :-P

A tenter is a frame for stretching cloth or leather.
That, on the other hand, is much more useful.

And do you know how it acquired the figurative meaning?

Re: Tenterhooks

[kesstrel.livejournal.com]

Not off the top of my head but I can find out...check this space at lunchtime?
(I have to go and teach now, but I can look it up in my break)

Re: Tenterhooks

[venta.livejournal.com]

I think because the cloth could tear easily when it dried, so it was a precarious process waiting for it to shrink to size, then trying to get it off the tenterhooks without damaging it.

Hazy memories from childhood trip to a mill :)