THE MYSTERY OF THE SPANISH STRAW TAIL
Tracking the veracity, authenticity, history, and usage of idiomatic expressions is a daunting task. I know from hard-earned experience. As soon as we begin to dig deep, we find incorrect clues, misleading meanings, and outright misconceptions regarding etymologies or histories. This is the case in point today: "Tener una persona la cola de paja" which translates into English as take offense easily, quick to take offense, touchy, oversensitive, or have a thin skin, as in No le menciones el problema porque tiene la cola de paja y se enfadará , do not mention the problem because he is quick to take offense and he will get mad. I own it that tengo cola de paja, and I react and take offense quickly . — “Quien tiene cola de paja, del fuego se teme.” Luis Milán, El cortesano , 1561. Esp. || “¿Ves cómo tenés la cola de paja? Te molesta lo de bruto…” Mario Benedetti, Ida y vuelta , 1955. Urug. || “Cuando la gente tenía cola de paja, solía decir tonterías.” Daniel Chavarría, El ro...