All I had to do was ask! I wonder if the other to respondants just drew it out of their own brain or did like you did? <g>

I wouldn't have expected Wikipedia to have an entry on just a single expression, but I guess I should not make assumptions like that. Wikipedia has just about everything!

>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_writing_on_the_wall
>
>>Well, that's just it, I was wondering where it came from because I don't know. Would be curious. And look at me! I said there must be a book. I'm dating myself. Books, schmooks. There must be a WEB SITE that could tell us this!
>>
>>>Do you want to know from where "writing on the wall" expression came?
>>>
>>>>I used the "writing on the wall" expression in this thread or another and wondered if the recipient - Cetin - would understand that one. Also, I couldn't help but wonder where it came from. My sister had a book about expression such as these and where they came from, but these days she says she doesn't know what book I'm talking about. But there has to be one out there somewhere . . .
>>>>
>>>>>FWIW, knee jerk essentially means "reflex" or "without thought." Comes from when you go to the doctor and he checks your reflexes hitting you on the knee with the instrument to check your reflexes.