- soldiers! gourds for inspection -
Many English words have Spanish origins.
Most people understand the phrase "changing of the guard" to mean the process by which a soldier, set to protect something, is relieved of his task by another soldier.
Few people know how the term came into existence. Standing watch was a long, cold, boring job.
To pass the time, the sentry, quite often provided himself with a little liquid refreshment in the form of wine, customarily carried in a leather gourd. When the sentry’s watch was over he would solemnly hand over the wine gourd to his relief.
This "handing over of the gourd" was at first a joke, meant to liven up a dreary job, but later developed into an elaborate ceremony. And through the years the word "gourd" became changed to "guard".
Today the most famous demonstration of the "changing of the gourd" is outside Buckingham Palace in London, England.
No "gourd" is in evidence but once the troop is away from the public eye...
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