The British House of Commons keeps its parties separated by an aisle, which is one of the origins of the phrase "crossing the aisle."
When someone steps into the aisle to confront an opposition party member, the man in charge will call out "Toe the line!" which is also the origin of that phrase.
Also reminding people that the sergeant of arms (traditionally the monarch's bodyguards) carries a big, fuck-off mace that will neatly slay someone through light armor in a single hit.
Today it is ceremonial and made of silver. It used to be a very, very functional four foot tall mace.
The unsaid part of "Toe the line!" is: "Toe the line or my sergeant at arms will come over there and stave in your head with his mace."
The British House of Commons keeps its parties separated by an aisle, which is one of the origins of the phrase "crossing the aisle."
When someone steps into the aisle to confront an opposition party member, the man in charge will call out "Toe the line!" which is also the origin of that phrase.
The aisle has an official defined width.
What is the official defined width?
"Two sword lengths plus one foot."
Also reminding people that the sergeant of arms (traditionally the monarch's bodyguards) carries a big, fuck-off mace that will neatly slay someone through light armor in a single hit.
Today it is ceremonial and made of silver. It used to be a very, very functional four foot tall mace.
The unsaid part of "Toe the line!" is: "Toe the line or my sergeant at arms will come over there and stave in your head with his mace."
Oh, I thought it was "U WOT M8 I'LL 'AVE ME SARGENT BASH YER 'EAD IN I SWARE ON ME MUM"