Curious origins of everyday sayings and phrases
Ever wonder where those quirky sayings and phrases come from? Those everyday expressions we throw around without a second thought have some curious and often bizarre origins. Let’s dive into a few of the most fascinating ones and uncover their backstories.
Take the phrase “butter someone up.” It’s widely used to describe flattering or excessively praising someone to gain favor. This phrase traces back to an ancient Indian custom where the devout threw butterballs at statues of their gods to seek divine favor. The practice was, quite literally, to 'butter up' the deities.
Next on our list is “giving someone the cold shoulder.” This expression is often misinterpreted as being derived from acting cold or indifferent toward someone. However, its actual origin is medieval. Hosts in those days would serve a cold shoulder of mutton to guests as a subtle hint that it was time for them to leave. What a polite yet pointed way to show someone the door!
Now, let's talk about the phrase “saved by the bell.” While commonly associated with the school bell saving one from an awkward situation, its origin dates back to the fear of being buried alive. In the 18th century, graveyards installed a system where a string was tied to the deceased’s hand, which ran up to a bell above ground. If the 'dead' woke up, they could ring the bell, and the gravekeeper would dig them out, saving them in a very literal sense.
Another curious phrase is “break the ice.” Today, it means to initiate conversation in a social setting. However, this saying has its roots in the maritime practices of the past. In the age of sailing ships, ice-breaking was a vital operation in northern seas. Whenever trade ships would reach a port that had frozen over, smaller iceberg-clearing ships would go ahead to break the ice, paving the way for the main ships. Hence, 'break the ice' has evolved from its original context of clearing the way for ships to easing social interactions.
Let's dig into “riding shotgun.” This term is often used to call dibs on the front passenger seat of a car. Its origin goes back to the old American Western days when stagecoaches were the primary mode of transportation. The person sitting next to the driver carried a shotgun to protect the coach from bandits and Native American attacks. Hence, the term 'riding shotgun' evolved from its historical roots to a modern-day usage among car passengers.
Lastly, the phrase “pulling someone’s leg” dates back to the early 19th century and is as sinister as it sounds. It originally referred to tripping someone, an act often employed by thieves to rob their victims. Today, it means to tease or try to fool someone, far removed from its nefarious origins.
These phrases offer a glimpse into our linguistic heritage and are a testament to how language evolves. So next time you use one of these expressions, you can appreciate the rich history behind it.
Take the phrase “butter someone up.” It’s widely used to describe flattering or excessively praising someone to gain favor. This phrase traces back to an ancient Indian custom where the devout threw butterballs at statues of their gods to seek divine favor. The practice was, quite literally, to 'butter up' the deities.
Next on our list is “giving someone the cold shoulder.” This expression is often misinterpreted as being derived from acting cold or indifferent toward someone. However, its actual origin is medieval. Hosts in those days would serve a cold shoulder of mutton to guests as a subtle hint that it was time for them to leave. What a polite yet pointed way to show someone the door!
Now, let's talk about the phrase “saved by the bell.” While commonly associated with the school bell saving one from an awkward situation, its origin dates back to the fear of being buried alive. In the 18th century, graveyards installed a system where a string was tied to the deceased’s hand, which ran up to a bell above ground. If the 'dead' woke up, they could ring the bell, and the gravekeeper would dig them out, saving them in a very literal sense.
Another curious phrase is “break the ice.” Today, it means to initiate conversation in a social setting. However, this saying has its roots in the maritime practices of the past. In the age of sailing ships, ice-breaking was a vital operation in northern seas. Whenever trade ships would reach a port that had frozen over, smaller iceberg-clearing ships would go ahead to break the ice, paving the way for the main ships. Hence, 'break the ice' has evolved from its original context of clearing the way for ships to easing social interactions.
Let's dig into “riding shotgun.” This term is often used to call dibs on the front passenger seat of a car. Its origin goes back to the old American Western days when stagecoaches were the primary mode of transportation. The person sitting next to the driver carried a shotgun to protect the coach from bandits and Native American attacks. Hence, the term 'riding shotgun' evolved from its historical roots to a modern-day usage among car passengers.
Lastly, the phrase “pulling someone’s leg” dates back to the early 19th century and is as sinister as it sounds. It originally referred to tripping someone, an act often employed by thieves to rob their victims. Today, it means to tease or try to fool someone, far removed from its nefarious origins.
These phrases offer a glimpse into our linguistic heritage and are a testament to how language evolves. So next time you use one of these expressions, you can appreciate the rich history behind it.