Quote Originally Posted by Squeaky McMurdo View Post
This is similar to where the saying "The Apple of my eye" came from. A gentleman would keep an apple in his armpit and present it to a lady he fancied to sniff. I would guess the same was done with hankies when apples weren't available.

--Chelsea McMurdo--
Don't think this is the case. See link below. It appears that the phrase "apple of my eye" dates to the 9th century in A-S England and has nothing to do with literal apples.

http://www.jstor.org/pss/283546

Cordially,

David