Sue Le Feuvre

By UrbanDonkey

Flowers on a wasp for Flower Friday…

Today’s saying is ‘pull your finger out’
When I googled pull your finger out I got the choice of two different origins. I’m inclined to go for the explanation provided by a human but the AI version also sounds plausible though maybe less thoroughly researched. I’ll start with the human version…
It's a nautical saying. When cannons were loaded a small amount of powder was poured into the ignition hole near the base of the weapon. In order to keep the powder secure before firing, a crew member pushed one of their fingers into the hole. When the time came for ignition, the crewman was told to pull his finger out.

And the AI version…
The idiom "pull your finger out" or "get your finger out" is a British, informal way of telling someone to start working or making an effort, especially after being idle. It's a way of saying someone needs to get moving and put in some real work. 
The exact origin of the phrase is not precisely known, but it's likely a shortened version of "pull one's finger out of one's arse". This phrase is thought to come from the idea of not sitting on one's hands and being proactive. The imagery of "pulling one's finger out" suggests being lethargic and needing to make a conscious effort to engage.

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