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Was there a time that the more feathers one had sticking out of one's hat meant one was self-promoting?
Many cultures have used the presence of feathers or other materials attached to one's headpiece to signify importance and/or seniority. The traditional inhabitants of the Americas would be the most famous for their feathers, and seniority in the Roman armies was demonstrated by the length of a soldier's reed(s, which were attached to the front of the helmet).
Placing feathers on one's own head, or adding longer reeds would be a definite no-no, and I doubt it ever happened. The saying is metaphorical and probably derived from this ancient practice.
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted feather merchant saxton 03/15/00 07:52 PM Re: feather merchant Longwell 03/15/00 08:27 PM Re: feather merchant of troy 10/22/01 12:22 PM Re: feather merchant of troy 10/22/01 12:23 PM Re: feather merchant maverick 10/22/01 01:16 PM Re: feather merchant wwh 10/22/01 06:31 PM Post deleted by Wordwind Wordwind 10/22/01 09:25 PM Post deleted by Wordwind Wordwind 10/22/01 11:33 PM Re: Horsefeathers wwh 10/23/01 12:10 AM Post deleted by Wordwind Wordwind 10/21/01 08:45 PM Re: Defeat her wwh 10/21/01 09:03 PM Re: Defeat her Keiva 10/21/01 11:25 PM Re: Defeat her doc_comfort 10/22/01 06:33 AM Post deleted by Wordwind Wordwind 10/22/01 11:10 AM Re: Reeds on a Roman Helmet? Jackie 10/22/01 03:02 PM feathers, feathers, feathers Sparteye 10/22/01 05:46 PM
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