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This is Lee Habib with Our American Stories, and we tell stories about everything here on this show,

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to our American stories. They're some of our favorites. Up next, we continue with our recurring

series about the curious origins of everyday sayings. Here to join us again is Andrew Thompson,

as he continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these mini mysteries of the language we all

speak. In the lap of the gods means a situation whose outcome is unclear and can't be

influenced. Some say the expression began with the practice of leaving gifts of thanks with statues

of gods. And whilst this has occurred for century, the phrase actually

derives from the Iliad, Homer's text from the 8th century BC. In the story, Achilles battles the

Trojans and kills Hector's brother, Polydorus. Hector sees this and challenges Achilles,

brandishing a spear in his face. Hector says to Achilles, I know you are

brave and stronger than me by far, but these things lie in the lap of the gods. Though I'm the

weaker man, I'll take your life. Achilles survives and the Trojans are defeated. A last-ditch

attempt is a final effort to solve a problem or avoid defeat,

and it's a military term that dates to the late 17th century.

King William III of England is credited with the expression

during the Anglo-French War with the Dutch Republic.

William was offered to be made sovereign Prince of Holland, if he would capitulate,

but he refused,

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