Here on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids, your kids will be “dressed” with IDIOMS during the month of September.

IDIOMS are phrases that reveal “secrets” from the past. IDIOMS come from many sources, many languages, many authors, many cultures.  The “hidden” meanings in IDIOMS are great fun for kids, but also teach important, interesting and intriguing lessons in how language has developed and evolved over time.

Each SEPTEMBER IDIOM on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids will address something to do with clothing… such as teaching kids the meaning of the tailored cut from the same cloth idiom.

The idiom cut from the same cloth is a term used to describe people who share many similarities or who resemble each other; seemingly created, raised, or fashioned almost identically.

– Origin of cut from the same cloth Idiom:  Cut from the same cloth is a term borrowed from the tailoring profession and/or clothing industry.  In suit-making, for example, it is necessary that the same cloth be used in making the jacket and the pants to guarantee identical dyes, color and weave.  Different pieces of cloth may be similar, but vary in shading; where the same bolt of fabric guarantees a match. 

Also, in colonial times, when cloth and fabrics were often purchased to make clothing for an entire family, the family was considered cut from the same cloth. 

Remember that being cut from the same cloth can refer to both positive and negative characteristics.  Talk to your kids about being cut from the same cloth as positive role models.

Dress your kids for back-to-school success with knowledge and attention to cut from the same cloth.

Take a few minutes each day in SEPTEMBER to teach the secrets of IDIOMS to your kids & grandkids.  Understanding IDIOMS is a wonderful way to enrich reading and language development.

And I’m not just talking through my hat!