The surprising origins of common sayings
Have you ever found yourself saying something and then wondering, 'Where did that come from?' Our daily language is peppered with idioms and sayings whose origins often go unnoticed. Understanding the history behind these phrases not only enriches our vocabulary but also offers a glimpse into the cultural and historical contexts from which they emerged. Here, we unravel the surprising beginnings of some commonly used expressions. From ‘raining cats and dogs’ to ‘breaking the ice,’ you're in for an enlightening linguistic journey that promises to leave you saying, 'Well, I never knew that!'
‘Raining cats and dogs’ conjures images of pets falling from the sky, but its origins are far less literal and far more peculiar. One theory suggests that in 17th-century England, heavy rains probably washed dead animals such as cats and dogs through the streets. Another notion ties this saying to Norse mythology, where cats symbolized rain and dogs represented storms, thus together they signified a heavy deluge.
Another phrase that has fairly dark origins is ‘saved by the bell.’ Contrary to popular belief, this saying doesn’t originate from boxing. Instead, its roots trace back to a time when being buried alive was a genuine fear. Coffins were designed with bells above ground that could be rung by the unfortunate occupant in case they woke up after burial. Thus, someone would be literally ‘saved by the bell.’
The phrase ‘barking up the wrong tree’ is often used when pointing out a misguided effort or mistaken belief. This expression comes from hunting dogs in the early 19th century. The dogs would sometimes mistake the location of their quarry and would bark up a wrong tree, misleading their human hunter companions.
Ever wondered why we use ‘break the ice’ to signify the start of a connection? The term comes from the practice of ships navigating through icy waters. Special ice-breaking ships were deployed to clear a path and initiate trade between nations. Over time, 'breaking the ice' came to symbolize initiating interaction to remove awkwardness or tension.
If you’ve ever felt the chill of being ignored, you’ve experienced ‘getting the cold shoulder.’ The origins of this phrase lie in medieval England. If a host wanted to show guests that their welcome had ended, they would serve a cold shoulder of mutton instead of a hot meal, thereby giving them a ‘cold shoulder.’
The term ‘wild goose chase’ signifies a futile endeavor. This saying finds its beginnings in a type of used equestrian pursuit popular in the 16th century. Participants followed a leading rider in a pattern much like geese flying in formation. If the leader made an unpredictable move, the chase could become chaotic and aimless, much like pursuing a flighty, elusive goose.
A phrase with royal roots is ‘the whole nine yards.’ Contrary to the myth that this expression comes from the length of World War II ammunition belts, it actually hails from Scottish kilts. A traditional kilt required nine yards of fabric, symbolizing that something involves giving everything one has to offer.
Ever been ‘caught red-handed?’ This idiom originates from Scottish law. Suspects caught with blood on their hands were considered incriminated for poaching or murder. The phrase 'red-handed' has since evolved to refer to being caught in the act of any wrongdoing.
When someone talks about ‘pulling the wool over your eyes,’ they are talking about deception. The phrase dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when judges in British courts wore wool wigs. If someone was tricked, it was said they had their ‘wool pulled over their eyes,’ meaning they were blinded to the truth.
Finally, the enigmatic ‘mad as a hatter’ has origins that are both chemical and cultural. The process of hat-making in the 18th and 19th centuries involved mercury, exposure to which caused mercury poisoning. This condition could lead to symptoms like tremors and erratic behavior, thus linking eccentricity with hatters.
The next time you use one of these phrases, you'll not only be speaking with a bit more historical awareness but also perhaps sharing an intriguing tidbit with your conversation partner. Isn't it fascinating how bits of our past continue to shape our present-day parlance?
‘Raining cats and dogs’ conjures images of pets falling from the sky, but its origins are far less literal and far more peculiar. One theory suggests that in 17th-century England, heavy rains probably washed dead animals such as cats and dogs through the streets. Another notion ties this saying to Norse mythology, where cats symbolized rain and dogs represented storms, thus together they signified a heavy deluge.
Another phrase that has fairly dark origins is ‘saved by the bell.’ Contrary to popular belief, this saying doesn’t originate from boxing. Instead, its roots trace back to a time when being buried alive was a genuine fear. Coffins were designed with bells above ground that could be rung by the unfortunate occupant in case they woke up after burial. Thus, someone would be literally ‘saved by the bell.’
The phrase ‘barking up the wrong tree’ is often used when pointing out a misguided effort or mistaken belief. This expression comes from hunting dogs in the early 19th century. The dogs would sometimes mistake the location of their quarry and would bark up a wrong tree, misleading their human hunter companions.
Ever wondered why we use ‘break the ice’ to signify the start of a connection? The term comes from the practice of ships navigating through icy waters. Special ice-breaking ships were deployed to clear a path and initiate trade between nations. Over time, 'breaking the ice' came to symbolize initiating interaction to remove awkwardness or tension.
If you’ve ever felt the chill of being ignored, you’ve experienced ‘getting the cold shoulder.’ The origins of this phrase lie in medieval England. If a host wanted to show guests that their welcome had ended, they would serve a cold shoulder of mutton instead of a hot meal, thereby giving them a ‘cold shoulder.’
The term ‘wild goose chase’ signifies a futile endeavor. This saying finds its beginnings in a type of used equestrian pursuit popular in the 16th century. Participants followed a leading rider in a pattern much like geese flying in formation. If the leader made an unpredictable move, the chase could become chaotic and aimless, much like pursuing a flighty, elusive goose.
A phrase with royal roots is ‘the whole nine yards.’ Contrary to the myth that this expression comes from the length of World War II ammunition belts, it actually hails from Scottish kilts. A traditional kilt required nine yards of fabric, symbolizing that something involves giving everything one has to offer.
Ever been ‘caught red-handed?’ This idiom originates from Scottish law. Suspects caught with blood on their hands were considered incriminated for poaching or murder. The phrase 'red-handed' has since evolved to refer to being caught in the act of any wrongdoing.
When someone talks about ‘pulling the wool over your eyes,’ they are talking about deception. The phrase dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when judges in British courts wore wool wigs. If someone was tricked, it was said they had their ‘wool pulled over their eyes,’ meaning they were blinded to the truth.
Finally, the enigmatic ‘mad as a hatter’ has origins that are both chemical and cultural. The process of hat-making in the 18th and 19th centuries involved mercury, exposure to which caused mercury poisoning. This condition could lead to symptoms like tremors and erratic behavior, thus linking eccentricity with hatters.
The next time you use one of these phrases, you'll not only be speaking with a bit more historical awareness but also perhaps sharing an intriguing tidbit with your conversation partner. Isn't it fascinating how bits of our past continue to shape our present-day parlance?