Peanuts Begins by Charles Schulz for July 29, 2019

and to act as a shield in case a speeding car drives through a puddle which would soak the lady

It goes back to at least the 17th century. To “take the wall” was to have preference. The side nearest the walls of buildings was somewhat protected from people tossing dirty water and the contents of chamber pots from upper windows. Also of course runaway horses, cutpurses, etc.

Why?

I prefer Dave Allan’s one better

I believe it actually originated back when people were known to throw waste water out of windows. The arc of the water would put it on the curb side of the sidewalk. This protected whoever was walking next to the building.

When walking with our girls – like, through a parking lot – the girls would always take the “inside”. Now, our younger daughter walks with me, holds my hand…but takes the outside, because she’s bigger than me! (Incidentally, the hand-holding is her choice: she’ll take my hand and start singing the Beatles song “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”.)

You have got a lot to learn, CB!

“So if some drunk jumps the curb you’d be the first one killed.”

would this be a good time to have a conversation about stereotypical sexism?

I remember when my Granddad took me to his favorite diner where he taught me to eat french fries with ketchup. He said everyone knows that’s the best way. I still really dislike messing up the great taste of fries with ketchup but I ate them all that day and remember it with a smile. He died at 66 so that’s one of my last memories of him.

The origin is earlier than all the above. It’s so the man would have his sword hand free. Defending one’s beloved loses some of its gloss if one has to push her out of the way first.

I thought we outlawed demeaning gender comics …

I have no doubt that’s really a rule.