Besides the rather literal interpretation, to tie the knot is slang for getting married. Although various theories have been put forth trying to pinpoint the actual origin of the phrase, it seems fairly obvious that a marriage is a "tying" together of two people. Still, the phrase wasn't always so figurative.

The expression's history begins in ancient Rome, where the bride's girdle was often securely laced (almost excessively so). Undoing the girdle's knots, or "nodus Herculeus", was a common post-ceremony tradition. Interestingly, this etymology appears to be the exact opposite of what the words mean - untying the knot, if you will.

The Carthaginians also involved actual knots in their ceremony: to commiserate the union, the bride and groom would tie their thumbs together until that night, when the bride's father would snip the knot and allow them to enter their own room of the house - it is not known whether the knife would occasionally slip and a groom would turn out short one digit.

The Hindu marriage ceremony, in contrast, uses a knot as a promise. As he recites his sacred vows, the husband ties a ribbon around his bride's neck. With this bow, she becomes his completely, and he in turn pledges to never lead her astray. In a similar tradition, the Kurdish people have both bride and groom tie a strand of silk around the other's wrist, a binding covenant of everlasting love. On a more superstitious note, if the strand snaps before the knot is complete, the marriage is said to be cursed.

Despite the ancient beginnings of the phrase, many modern weddings still feature some sort of physical knot representing the bond between husband and wife. I'm not sure if this will manifest itself at my own wedding (New Years' Eve, 2004), but it certainly sums up how I feel about Courtney. After over five years of dating, we'll finally tie the knot and become one big fuzzy ball of love. At least, that's what they tell me. Hey, why are you guys snickering?

Sources

• http://www.austinchronicle.com/mrpants/language.html