Well, now how many times has this been heard in the office, shop, or at home? Well, I wager to guess few if any of us know where it originated. I am here to help with this.

In the British Navy of King George III and earlier, many sailors' wives accompanied them on long voyages. Also, wives were allowed to stay for the night when the ship was in port. This practice could cause some problems, but some ingenious bosun solved the situation which tended to make reveille a hazardous event, the problem of distinguishing which bunks or hammocks held males and which held females. To avoid dragging the wrong shipmates out of their hammocks, the bosun asked all to "shake a leg" or "show a leg." If the leg was shapely and/or adorned with silk, the owner was allowed to continue sleeping. If the leg was obviously male, such as being hairy and/or tattooed, then he was rousted out. In today's Navy, showing a leg is a signal to the reveille petty officer that you have heard his call and you are awake.

So next time you want to impress your co-workers or spouse with your totally worthless bits of knowledge you have a new one to spring on them.