Have you ever wondered where the phrase "You gotta be shittin me" came
from? Well, it just so happens to have originated through the Father of
our Country. Way back, George Washington was crossing the Delaware River
with his troops. There were 33 in Washington's boat. It was extremely
dark and storming furiously and the water was tossing them about.
Finally, Washington grabbed Corporal Peters and stationed him at the
front of the boat with a lantern. He ordered him to keep swinging it so
they could see where they were heading. Corporal Peters, through the
driving rain and cold, continued swinging the lantern back and forth,
back and forth.
Then a big gust of wind and wave hit and threw Corporal Peters and his
lantern into the Delaware. Washington and his troops searched nearly an
hour trying to find Corporal Peters but to no avail. All of them felt
terrible, for the corporal had been one of their favorites.
Sometime later Washington and his troops landed on the other side, wet
and totally exhausted. He rallied the troops and told them they must go
on.
Another hour later, one of his men said, "General, I see lights ahead."
They trudged towards the lights and came upon a huge house. What they
didn't know was that this was a house of ill repute hidden in the forest
to serve all who came. General Washington pounded on the door, his men
crowding around him.
The door swung open and much to his surprise stood a beautiful woman. A
huge smile came across her face to see so many men standing there.
Washington was the first to speak, "Madam, I'm General George Washington
and these are my men. We're tired, wet, exhausted and desperately need
warmth and comfort.
Again the Madam looked at all the men standing there and with a broad
smile on her face said, 'Well, General, You have come to the right
place. We can surely give you warmth and comfort. How many men do you
have?"
Washington replied, "Well, madam, there are thirty two of us without
Peters."