On Being Thrown Under the Bus

Anyone have a clue where the phrase “threw him under the bus” derives from? It apparently means to reveal information about a friend for personal gain, usually the friend does not deserve the treatment.

If I understand cliches I believe the original statement has to have actually meant something and quite possibly be a valid insight. Then through overuse it loses its original firm meaning.

So I ask, who exactly was thrown under the first bus and why?

I Almost Did It

I almost did a lot of things today,  right now a vacuum is sitting five feet a way from me, all plugged in ready to go. It has the potential to vacuum, I however do not plan on using it, and I do plan on telling my wife I almost did.

Saying I almost did it is very different than saying no I did not vacuum, hopefully she will think maybe I received a phone call or had some more important business to attend to.

White Courtesy Telephone

Years ago if you wanted to talk to someone at the airport you would call the airport and they would page the person, a voice would gently ring out “Mr. K, please pick up the nearest white courtesy telephone”. Try and imagine a courtesy phone.

Last time I spoke to an airlines I had to remind the person that the sound coming out of my mouth was actually a sophisticated communication system that in the past was studied and occasionally used to trade disparaging comments.