When In Doubt, Pinky Out

There is a saying which backdates to the middle of the 18th century in England, when tea was at its most popular there. In the upper class circles of 18th century England, an etiquette around drinking tea had developed which entailed the use of all sorts of weird paraphernalia and required the feminine drinker to abandon the use of her smallest finger (pinky). This abandonment demonstrated her delicate, fragile nature. The saying, "When in doubt, pinky out", came to be a phrase which both educated the lower classes of accepted etiquette and mocked it for it's pretentiousness.


Having grown up without the context in which this phrase belongs, I've developed what now seems a peculiar habit which becomes apparent whenever I'm approached by a difficult situation.

As a side note, 

CAKE = DOUBT.

The appearance of cake without an adequate explanation always seems to result in confusion, mild panic and agitation. 

"Where did the cake come from?"

"Is it for me?"

"Will I like it?"

Cake can cause more problems than the sweetly savoured flavour can account for. Beware.