(idea) by girlotron Mon Nov 06 2000 at 0:42:51
A common phrase meaning to prepare oneself for action: "And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah: and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab." (1 Kings 46)
Gird, from the Old English gyrdan, means to fasten or encircle, usually with a belt.
I like it!