Originally “a turn up for the book”. At 18th-century horse racing meetings, punters’ names and wagers were recorded in a notebook. If an unbacked horse won, it was called a “turn up” for the bookmaker, who kept all the money.
The “luck” aspect of the phrase comes from games of chance like cribbage, where cards are “turned up” by chance.
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In a drowsy and stupid state of body and mind
A GOOD VOICE TO BEG BACON
Telling someone they’ve “a good voice to beg bacon” is effectively the 17th century version of “don’t quit your day job.”
Never knew the origins for this before .
An unexpected stroke of good luck.
Originally “a turn up for the book”. At 18th-century horse racing meetings, punters’ names and wagers were recorded in a notebook. If an unbacked horse won, it was called a “turn up” for the bookmaker, who kept all the money.
The “luck” aspect of the phrase comes from games of chance like cribbage, where cards are “turned up” by chance.
19th century adverb meaning to remain motionless and quiet to escape detection.