Why "threshold"? In Tudor times it was customary to strew loose rushes on the floor as a covering; and a board was placed at doorways or openings to prevent the rushes being kicked outside. This board was a "rushold"; and in the passage of time the name has become threshold. Afterwards rushes were plaited to prevent them moving when trodden upon; and this foreshadows to-days floor coverings. Rushes were a repository for all manner of things; and so the custom of placing potpourri and sweet smelling herbs in rooms links up; which has developed into the present-day practice of bringing flowers into the house. Illustration for one of a set of 50 "Do You Know?" cigarette cards issued by Carreras in 1939.