I used the phrase “fits like a glove” today — it just sort of came out. What I was commenting on had nothing to do with gloves, or even clothing. I was actually talking about a lawnmower.
So why do we use “it fits like a glove” to describe something having nothing to do with gloves? I’ve heard the expression pretty much my whole life.
From what I can tell, the expression probably started in the 18th century, and really did refer to gloves. It was thought that any glove that was too loose could easily fall off and if it was too tight it was hard to put on. It then came to be used to describe something that fits perfectly or is tailor made. Of course we could just say custom-made, or made to measure, or precision cut, or maybe even exactly right. But we usually don’t — we often say it “fits like a glove.”
After I started writing this, I remembered another phrase about gloves that became pretty famous — “”If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” If you’re old enough to have been following the news headlines in the 1990s, you probably remember that quote. It refers to the most well-remembered piece of evidence in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. A pair of blood-covered gloves — one glove found at the scene of the crime and the other in O.J. Simpson’s possession. During the trial Simpson tried on the gloves and — as all present (and I don’t know how many watching the trial on TV) could see — they seemed too tight. O.J.’s lawyer, Johnnie Cochran, proceeded to tell the jury “if it doesn’t fit, you must quit.” The defense’s strategy proved to be effective — Simpson was acquitted. Apparently, some believed that the demonstration with the gloves was an indication that proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” wasn’t possible.
Anyhow, it’s beginning to get cold — and you’ll probably be wearing gloves. Just remember that gloves seem to be more a part of lives than just keeping our hands warm……
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