"Dry back of the ears", to mean 'mature', was first recorded in written English in 1914. The alternative viewpoint, "wet behind the ears", to mean 'immature', did not appear in writing until 1931, when it surfaced in a song sung by British soldiers. As already suggested, both refer to the somewhat soggy state of newborn babies or perhaps to schoolboys' inability to dry that part of their bodies!
quote:Originally posted by Monsterquizzer: "Dry back of the ears", to mean 'mature', was first recorded in written English in 1914. The alternative viewpoint, "wet behind the ears", to mean 'immature', did not appear in writing until 1931, when it surfaced in a song sung by British soldiers. As already suggested, both refer to the somewhat soggy state of newborn babies or perhaps to schoolboys' inability to dry that part of their bodies!
Great additional information, Monsterquizzer. I'm going to have to get an OED some day. I just wish they'd finish the 3rd edition.
"Dry back of the ears" for "mature" seems to imply the latter explanation. One could cease to be newborn soggy and be dry behind the ears for many years before maturity. On the other hand, I don't see why it would be hard to dry behind one's ears—Charles, Prince of Wales notwithstanding.
