The theory on balls
The expression "to have balls", applied to a brave person,
is hardly a recent invention, but is more likely of very ancient origins.
It is a common phenomenon that fear (and cold) causes the man's scrotum
to shrivel up. This normal reaction is hardly noticed in this modern
day and age, where most people usually wear clothes. Furthermore, one
rarely observes the phenomenon on one's own body, as conditions of great
panic and terror usually don't give rise to speculations on how one's
scrotum is hanging.
The only members of our species who could have observed the interesting
behaviour of the testicles in situations of stress, and thus coin the
aforementioned phrase, were our naked ancestors from early Palaeolithic
times. One can imagine the following situation: A group of primitive
men are out hunting. Suddenly comes a, let us choose a brontosaurus,
charging ferociously towards them through the forest. All become paralysed
with fright, and their scrotums shrink instantly and visibly to pea-size.
Except for one brave individual, who calmly readies his bow, while his
low-hanging testicles dangles casually from side to side. He shoots
and kills the dinosaur, saves the hunting-party, and his feat is later
told with the praising remark: "...and you should have seen: He really
had balls!"
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