This week, we are going to find out how much skin you have in the game. That’s right. Skin. We talk a lot about this outer covering of our bodies and even sometimes unfairly judge others because of it, but why? Too blotchy. Too dark. Too freckled. Too tan. Too pimply. Too pale. All this over skin? Apparently so.
Yes, skin is our largest organ, accounting for up to 15% of our body weight and covering approximately 22 square feet. And, yes, it has up to seven layers of tissue that guard our muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. It’s important stuff, no doubt. It has also become part of our vernacular with a variety of somewhat awkward uses and meanings.
Those who are described as having “thick skin” may be called hardened, insensitive, implacable. Those who are called “thin-skinned” might be considered delicate, hypersensitive, emotional.
We have likely all met a deadline or goal by “the skin of our teeth,” meaning we barely accomplished something great or narrowly missed something disastrous.
Being “comfortable in our own skin” is said to be a good thing, as we are content, confident and happy with who we are and not feeling the need to pretend or be someone we are not.
In the 1970s, we used to say, “Give me some skin” and then extend a hand for a high-five. That was far out, man.
To “save someone’s skin” means to help someone get out of a dangerous or difficult situation. The phrase dates back to the 1500s when “skin,” in this sense, referred to the body in the process of hanging or beheading.
To “get under someone’s skin” means to irritate or upset that person. All this stuff about skin may be getting under your skin right now.
We are often told that beauty is only skin deep, meaning what matters is a person’s character and not his or her appearance. Meanwhile, American women alone spend an average of $3,756 per year on beauty products and services, and beauty companies spend an estimated $7.7 billion on advertising their products and services.
And finally, we all know there is more than one way to skin a cat, but why would we? Of course, this gruesome reference means various ways exist to accomplish the same task, but removing a cat’s skin? Apparently, a debate on cat-skinning once existed, addressing whether to boil the cat after it was killed or while it was still alive.
And you thought you had skin in the game?
Have a great week, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305 | 
