Much of our everyday language—in the form of idioms, clichés, or metaphors—makes reference to textiles. Using these phrases, we weave stories, spin tales, and thread narratives. But where do these expressions come from, and what do they mean?
In a blog series posted on intermittent Mondays, we will be unpacking textile-related idioms. Stay tuned to learn their metaphorical and historical meanings.
Think of a fine fabric— something soft, smooth, luxurious, plush. While today, velvet is often made from cotton or synthetic fibers, it was historically made by thickly tufting silk thread through tightly woven silk, creating a dense and incredibly soft pile. When you run your fingers over a length of velvet, real silk velvet, you cannot help but be drawn in. This week’s idiom is ‘the velvet touch’— a somewhat sultry way of saying that someone is exceptionally and yet still delicately persuasive.
If there’s ever a time to have a velvet touch, it’s those last few weeks of the year where many of us are spending time with the people we love the most– and who drive us the craziest. Good luck, happy holidays, and we can’t wait to explore more textile idioms with you in 2024!