Mary asks…
What is the origin and meaning behind the term “hanging up a shingle”?
My organization will be using the term “shingle” to define the action of starting one’s own company. This is a correct use of the term, mostly used as “so-and-so will be hanging up their shingle”; however I cannot find why the term “shingle” was originally used. Whenever someone refers to a shingle they envision the tile that is placed on a roof to protect it from general weather. I would assume another term like “sign” or “display” may be a more suitable term to use, but unfortunately that is not the case.
Does anyone know the origin of the saying ” to hang up a shingle” and why the term “shingle” is used? Is a “shingle” just another term for a sign that would be displayed outside of their building or office?
Thank you for your assistance.
Update: So, I have three very useful answers; two of them are similar and one is very descriptive, but does not answer my question completely. Can anyone else confirm one of these two theories?
admin answers:
Years ago, from what I have seen of westerns, a name was written on a roof tile (shingle) and nailed beside the door.
What about ‘hanging up a shingle’ in Yahoo search or a dictionary of American usage.
Jenny asks…
Natural Raccoon Deterrent?
Anybody have any suggestions for a raccoon deterrent? We had a new roof put on our house not quite 5 years ago, we are now in the process of trying to sell our house. We went up onto the roof to make sure everything was good before we officially signed the for sale papers and found a hole, through the shingles, paper, and underlying wood, about the size of a volleyball next to one of the attic vents. Two other vents had the beginnings of holes too. The holes were definitely chewed and or clawed through.
I know that peppermint oil works to keep mice away and cheyanne pepper has been said to work to keep raccoons away from plants but what about a roof? Any suggestions?
admin answers:
Here’s some thoughts.Pesky little buggers they are.
Good Luck
Steven asks…
Why does my roof leak sometimes and not other times?
After moving into a new, fixer upper house, I had a roof leak on my asphalt shingled roof before we even go there. I went up there and looked for signs of leakage and saw where someone in the past had used regular nails to nail down some of the shingles around a vent. I patched it with roof caulking. The roof then only leaked during heavier rains. I then went really crazy with some Henry 505 flashing cement in probably a 10 sq. foot area. The leaks stopped…for awhile. Suddenly, it leaked again but not much. Fortunately, I had still not repaired the ceiling until I knew for sure if it would leak. Now, after about 2 leaks after heavy rains, the other night it rained and stormed almost all night long and I am perplexed because this time it did not leak a drop. It picks and chooses when it wants to leak. Does anyone have a clue as to what is going on? Thanks.
admin answers:
With out looking at it, it will be difficult, but water will follow the path of least resistance, so on light rains it will only travel so far, before it dries out, with a heavy rain it will travel farther, and bring more rain to drip.
Ok, so you may need to check higher up on the roof to see if there is a deteriorated shingles. If you have done this much you may as well as check this. Now in the attic or crawl space can you see in there, if so water will leave trace of dirt it brings with it as it makes it way to your ceiling! This may help you determine where the source is but even then it may only give you what you can see, as the leak may be running on top of rafters, for a distance before running down the sides.
Valleys are notorious for leaks, peaks are also, poor condition of shingles may mean replacing the whole roof. Or at least the entire area affected, if the other area is fine.
Richard asks…
Is it OK to vaccinate a 10 month old for chicken pox?
I am 37 and have been diagnosed with shingles. My 10 month old son has not been vaccinated for chicken pox yet. My pediatrician said to bring him in and if he wasn’t showing any signs of having contracted chicken pox yet, they would give him the vaccine for it. She said that normally they would not do it until 15 months. So that got me worried. I looked it up and the vaccine appears to be approved for kids aged 12 months to 12 years. So my question is, is it OK to vaccinate at 10 months?
admin answers:
It should be ok. My son got the first vaccine at 12 months. However, he still caught the chicken pox. But he only ended up with 30-40 spots total, small fever, a little diarrhea, and some pretty awful diaper rash. The diaper rash was the worst part. Do some research online, definitely. But in my opinion, I think it should be ok to get the vaccine. HOwever, being that you have had shingles (probably had them for a few days), your child has already been exposed to the virus and might already have caught it. You can have the virus for several days before the spots even show up, and chicken pox (shingles) are extremely contagious.
Lizzie asks…
Unexplained Skin Pain?
I have a small patch on my shoulder blade that hurts to the touch. It feels almost like pins and needles and a sunburn mixed together.
I have no redness, or any other sign that there is anything wrong with the area.
I have had it since December of last year, and feels to be getting worse. Just turning in bed, or putting a shirt on causing it to hurt a lot.
It is not shingles, nor is it a muscle problem. No one can figure it out!
I was hoping for an answer from someone who has had this similar problem and had it diagnosed by a physician, so I can give my doctor some ideas.
After researching my own symptoms, I was thinking it might be Neuropathic Pain?
admin answers:
If the pain is burning or tingling, “pins and needles”, it’s related to a nerve. Can you point out to the doctor just where it is? If you can’t, it’s another indication of nerve pain. A neurologist would be the one to know more about it and find a cause. I believe an injection a saline (salt) solution will deaden the nerve and stop the pain, if they can’t fix it otherwise.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
