Brent E. Coy wrote: > > Besides learning how to do the "warsh", I was taught to "read up" the > house. I always thought that this came from "ready", as in "getting the > place ready for company". I like this etomology; my mother also "Redd up the house." - that was how I thought of it as being spelled, no idea why. If you spell it your way then your etomology makes a lot of sense. I'm not sure how 'Dutch' this is though, my mother was English (though my father is PA Dutch, I don't remember him saying it - maybe just because he wasn't the one who did it!) Yes, one could also redd up a table or a room, it didn't have to be a whole house. I haven't heard anyone say that in years. jan <janiceaf@ix.netcom.com> Interested in names: FRANK, KELLER, PENROSE, SCHULTZ