Let's start with an 'origin'al story. In my dictionary, an 'origin'al story would be one that describes the origin of a word, phrase, idiom or a particular usage. So clean out the earwax and listen intently as I begin:
Once upon a time, lived a great naval officer. His name was Horatio Nelson, considered by many today as Britain's greatest naval hero.
In 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen, Nelson acted as second-in-command to Admiral Parker. Leading a fleet of ships, Nelson advanced bravely into the Copenhagen harbour. Before long, he was in the thick of the battle.
The beginning of battle saw HMS Agamemnon, HMS Bellona, and HMS Russell running aground. Even the remainder of the British fleet suffered heavily at the hands of the Danes. Owing to this, Admiral Parker hoisted a signal flag for Nelson to withdraw. He, however, ignored the order, as he knew that he had the upper hand against the Danish fleet he had engaged. When his signal lieutenant informed him of the signal, he raised his telescope to his eye and said, "I really do not see the signal."
In actuality, he had raised the telescope to his blind eye. "I have only one eye-I have a right to be blind sometimes." was what he told his flag officer as he proceeded with the battle. Thus it was that he secured a great victory for his country, and in the process gave birth to the phrase: to turn a blind eye.
Horatio Nelson was a great leader and brought out the best in his men through something he called the Nelson touch. AskOxford.com defines the Nelson touch as a masterly or sympathetic approach to a problem.
Nelson led a great life and died fighting for his country. He occupies a place not only in our history books, but also in our dictionaries for having added two witty expressions to the English language.
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