What is the meaning and origin of ‘pull the wool over someone’s eyes’?
(C. Ramamoorthy, Madurai)
This is an idiom which has been around for many centuries, and it is mostly used in informal contexts. When someone pulls the wool over your eyes, he/she succeeds in deceiving you. The person does this to ensure that you don’t figure out what he’s up to.
Raju pulled the wool over the old couple’s eyes, and ran away with their savings.
Before buying a car, please read this article. Otherwise, the salesperson will pull the wool over your eyes.
Several centuries ago, it was standard practice in Europe and America for both men and women to wear wigs — irrespective of whether they were bald or not. These loosely fitting hair pieces were usually made of wool. When thieves wanted to steal something that a wig wearer was carrying, they sneaked up to the individual and literally pulled the wig (wool) over the victim’s eyes. Temporarily blinded and confused, the victim didn’t know what was happening around him. The thief used this opportunity to run away with what the victim was carrying.
S. UPENDRAN
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