Beware of falling pineapples

Where does this phrase come from, and what does it mean?

This is a wild guess. I went on a tour of an historic home in Frankfort, Ky. One of the four-poster beds had pineapples on each post. A pineapple, the guide said, was a symbol of hospitality. A guest overstayed his welcome and his hostess removed the pineapples from the bed. Maybe the phrase has something to do with that. Or not.

Good grief. I googled and found I'd told this story before. www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 14 messages 383.html

I'd just like to point out that guides to historic houses (in any country) are among the most notorious purveyors of junk etymology, and therefore any story told by a historic house guide should be regarded with deep suspicion unless borne out by a reliable source. (VSD)

Oh, Kentucky historic house guides are very reliable and Kentucky women very spirited. That's enough for me. (ESC)

Here's what I found online previously by searching "colonial times" and "pineapple."

In colonial times a sea captain would announce his homecoming by placing a pineapple on his gatepost as a sign that visitors were welcome. Eventually the pineapple became the symbol of hospitality. members.aol.com/ msjudys/c_wreaths.htm

The pineapple has long been considered the traditional symbol of hospitality. Begun when Captain James Cook returned from the Hawaiian Islands offering a pineapple, a rare and regal fruit, to only his noblest of friends.
www.super8tahoe.com/ Pineapple.html

"The Joy of Cooking" says pineapples symbolize hospitality in the American South.