It is said that the expression "Saved by the bell"came from the Black plague time when they used to bury people not knowing whether they were really dead or not. If the person was still alive, they would ring a bell that was attached by a string, and the night guard would unbury them.
Truth is there is no evidence that this phrase was ever used in the 17th century. It is simply a boxing term that started to be used in the late 1800's. Boxers who were at risk of losing a fight, could not be saved by the bell at the end of the round. Thus, if they we knocked down, the count would continue, even if the bell signalling the end of the round had sounded.
This expression like many others came merry old England.After the cemeteries started filling up the British started constructing 'bone yards.' When this began and previously buried bodies were dug up, there was sometimes evidence that a person was buried alive. It could have been for a number of reasons, but this was to be avoided by having a wake where the body would usually sit on the dining table for a few days to make sure they were dead, and then the person assigned the 'grave yard shift' would listen for a bell tied to the toe of the supposed deceased, and if it rang, they were 'saved by the bell.'
For me, the words Saved By The Bell make me think of just one thing – Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees belting out one of their greatest hits.Travel back with me to 1969.
Keith
