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In the 1770s, Jonas  Bateman went about his daily life as a farmer most probably using phrases in speech which were commonly understood. Over centuries, many versions of these terms survived with similar, altered or totally distinct meanings. Appreciating the colonial sources of modern idioms is worthwhile, fascinating and fun.Setting about his chores, Jonas entered the barn to look in on a newborn calf and noted that it was still wet in indentations behind the ears (always the last to dry after birth). "Wet behind the ears" today refers to being very young, immature and inexperienced. Next, he visited neighbor David Brown who had a horse for sale at an unusually low price. Jonas examined the animal's teeth to estimate age and health. Brown exclaimed that he should not question the goods at such a cost. Perhaps it is not best to "look a gift horse in the mouth" (be critical or suspicious of something received at a low fee).
At Concord center, Jonas visited the blacksmith shop of Thomas Barrett and watched as he held a brightly heated iron with a set of tongs while fiercely and repeatedly hammering the metal into shape. This was done at a point in time when the iron was hottest. Often, the As Jonas walked toward Daniel Taylor's tavern, he nodded his head whenever passing someone he knew. Thus, a "nodding acquaintance" came to signify the superficial knowledge of a person or thing. Squire John Cuming (colonel, judge, doctor, politician) rode by astride a very tall horse as was common for a man of his importance. "One's high horse" now connotes arrogance or condescension. Some thought the physician had a manner of superiority (air) about him and thus "to put on airs" later meant to assume a haughty manner or pretend to be above actual status. However, all knew the Squire to be a man of stature who at any meal would be served the best part of the bread - the upper crust. Hence this term came to denote the highest social order. At the tavern, Jonas noted that Taylor was as happy as the puppet in the Punch & Judy shows (leading to the idiom "pleased as Punch" or delighted). Such was true as Bateman's tap bill was due and about to be paid causing removal of the chalk marks on the wall denoting money owed. This would lead to a "clean slate" or new beginning (even today). If Taylor decided to demand payment upon service, money would have to be placed on the heads of the barrels (used as tables) when drinks were provided. The term "cash on the barrelhead" came to mean immediate payment for service.
After an amicable conversation, Jonas spent all his schillings (hogs in slang) at once for flour. "Going whole hog" came to reflect going all out or completely. The flour would be stored with salted beef (salt preserved food; there was no refrigeration) for the winter. "To salt away" later would allude to safely saving for the future. At home, Jonas's wife Elizabeth anxiously awaited his arrival as the dinner hour had passed. Her nerves were stretched tight like cloth on the tenterhooks of a frame (thus the phrase "on tenderhooks" meaning nervous, anxious). He finally appeared and partook of whatever food remained in the oven pot ("pot luck" or what you can get or is available) before going to bed. After a long, hard day, Jonas would sleep like a moth lava happily feeding inside a rolled up carpet, "as snug as a bug in a rug" or in modern terms, happy, content, cozy and comfortable.
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Returning home, Bateman observed cows routing or bellowing loudly and demonstratively. At many of today's events (athletic especially), it is common to "root for" a team. At a distance, sheep were seen leaving a pasture and entering an enclosure (or fold). "Returning to the fold" came to mean coming back after an absence. Bateman's final morning task was to scatter wild oats - an inferior, uncultivated but cost-saving grain - which hopefully would come to some good. "To sow wild oats" now alludes to foolish, immoderate or promiscuous behavior when young. Readying for a trip to Town, he grabbed two safely tied oxen at the horns and harnessed them together to pull a cart. In today's vernacular, "to take the bull (or ox) by the horns" means confront a problem head on, while "teaming up" denotes an association with others for a common purpose. 
blacksmith would have numerous irons in the fire at once causing him to rush his work, possibly making errors. Today, "going at it hammer and tongs" refers to a violent fight or argument; "striking while the iron's hot" means taking advantage of favorable conditions; and having "too many irons in the fire" alludes to doing several tasks at once possibly leading to problems or lack of attention. 
Bateman's final stop was a short distance away (close enough to hit with a thrown rock) to the grist mill of Timothy Wheeler. Even today, "a stone's throw" equates to short distance. Jonas did not wish to cause a commotion or trouble by making the miller as angry as hornets when their nest is bothered ("stir up a hornet's nest"), but he had questions about flour prices. Civility would be required in order that his wife not hear stories of improprieties making him a fool (mud; thus "name is mud" means having acted wrong or in an unacceptable way as a fool) at home.