Getting the short end of the stick

Have you ever wondered where some “figures of speech” come from? The other day I heard the old saying, “Getting the short end of the stick” and decided to look it up, here is what I found:Candles were expensive to make, so often reeds were dipped in tallow and burned instead.  When Visitors came, it was the custom for the guest to leave by the time the lights were out. Therefore, if your host did not want you to stay very long, he would give you a “short stick”.This of course brought laughter, due to an old standing joke between us, the Smiths, and others at Conroe UPC.   When it was approaching the midnight hour, Bro. Smith would jokingly open his front door to let his guests who were over staying there welcome know that it was time to leave.The old saying “Burning the candle at both ends: refers back to the first saying for if your host REALLY did not want you to stay very long he would light “both ends” at the same time.Bro. A would always jump up and hurry to the door, telling me to hurry before Bro. Smith beat us to the door. (lol)  Some evenings Bro. Smith would get me to keep talking just so he could beat Bro A to the door.  Oh the fond memories and fun times we have had.