They Cooked the Books

Have you ever wondered about expressions such as “The cat’s out of the bag,” “Fast-buck artist,” and “On the Q.T.?” Patrick Edwards explores these sayings and their fascinating origins, original meanings and present day usage having to do with Wall Street crime and Ponzi schemes.

For instance, “Cooking the books” originated in England when the Earl of Strafford said: “The proof was once clear; however, they have cooked it ever since.” The year was 1636, and the Earl was referring to altering...