The surprising origins of everyday sayings you never questioned
We often use phrases and idioms without thinking about their origins. Have you ever wondered where 'kick the bucket' or 'let the cat out of the bag' come from? Let’s dive into the surprising and sometimes bizarre origins of these everyday sayings.
**Spill the beans**
This phrase, which means to disclose a secret, is thought to trace back to ancient Greece. During the election process, voters would place a white or black bean into a jar to cast their vote. If the jar accidentally spilled, the secret was out, and the vote was revealed.
**Kick the bucket**
This grim expression, referring to someone's death, has a rather morbid origin. One theory suggests it dates back to a time when people would hang themselves using a bucket to stand on. Once they kicked the bucket away, their fate was sealed.
**Let the cat out of the bag**
In medieval markets, farmers sold piglets in sacks. Some dishonest sellers would replace the piglet with a less valuable cat. The phrase emerged when the cat was discovered upon opening the sack, exposing the fraud.
**Bite the bullet**
Before modern anesthesia, soldiers preparing for surgery during battle would bite down on a bullet to cope with the pain. This phrase now means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation with courage.
**Butter someone up**
This idiom, meaning to flatter someone to gain favor, has its origins in ancient India. People seeking favor from the gods would throw balls of butter at religious statues. Eventually, this concept was applied to human interactions.
**Raining cats and dogs**
One theory about this phrase, which means it's raining heavily, is that it originated in 17th-century England. Poor drainage systems would sweep away dead animals like cats and dogs during heavy downpours, making it seem as though they had fallen from the sky.
**Break the ice**
In maritime history, ships often faced the challenge of navigating through icy waters. Specialized icebreaker ships helped to clear paths through the ice, enabling friendly relations and new trade routes. Hence, 'breaking the ice' came to signify making a connection or easing into conversation.
**Mad as a hatter**
This phrase, indicating someone who is crazy, comes from the 18th and 19th centuries when hat makers used mercury in the felting process. Prolonged exposure to mercury caused symptoms such as tremors and hallucinations, leading to the stereotype of the 'mad' hatter.
**Close but no cigar**
In the late 19th century, cigars were given as prizes at fairground games. Missing just by a hair’s breadth meant you'll be close, but no cigar for you. Today, it’s used to indicate coming close to success but falling just short.
**Caught red-handed**
This phrase, which means to be caught in the act of committing a crime, comes from an old Scottish law. If someone were caught with blood on their hands after committing a murder, they were literally caught red-handed and would face certain punishment.
**Burn the midnight oil**
Before electricity, people used oil lamps for light. Spending long hours working or studying late into the night meant burning a lot of this oil, and the term 'burning the midnight oil' born out of necessity and perseverance.
**Under the weather**
Originating from maritime culture, when sailors were ill, they would be sent below deck where the rocking of the ship was less intense. Therefore, an ill sailor was 'under the weather'. Today, it simply refers to feeling unwell.
**Cost an arm and a leg**
In the 18th century, painters would charge more for full-body portraits, which included detailed limbs. Thus, if something is exorbitantly priced today, it 'costs an arm and a leg'.
**Fly off the handle**
This phrase came from the 19th-century US, where poorly made axes would often have their heads fly off mid-swing, symbolizing a sudden burst of anger. Now it means losing one's temper unexpectedly.
Phrases and idioms encapsulate so much of history, culture, and human emotion. Next time you use one, remember there's often a fascinating story behind it.
**Spill the beans**
This phrase, which means to disclose a secret, is thought to trace back to ancient Greece. During the election process, voters would place a white or black bean into a jar to cast their vote. If the jar accidentally spilled, the secret was out, and the vote was revealed.
**Kick the bucket**
This grim expression, referring to someone's death, has a rather morbid origin. One theory suggests it dates back to a time when people would hang themselves using a bucket to stand on. Once they kicked the bucket away, their fate was sealed.
**Let the cat out of the bag**
In medieval markets, farmers sold piglets in sacks. Some dishonest sellers would replace the piglet with a less valuable cat. The phrase emerged when the cat was discovered upon opening the sack, exposing the fraud.
**Bite the bullet**
Before modern anesthesia, soldiers preparing for surgery during battle would bite down on a bullet to cope with the pain. This phrase now means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation with courage.
**Butter someone up**
This idiom, meaning to flatter someone to gain favor, has its origins in ancient India. People seeking favor from the gods would throw balls of butter at religious statues. Eventually, this concept was applied to human interactions.
**Raining cats and dogs**
One theory about this phrase, which means it's raining heavily, is that it originated in 17th-century England. Poor drainage systems would sweep away dead animals like cats and dogs during heavy downpours, making it seem as though they had fallen from the sky.
**Break the ice**
In maritime history, ships often faced the challenge of navigating through icy waters. Specialized icebreaker ships helped to clear paths through the ice, enabling friendly relations and new trade routes. Hence, 'breaking the ice' came to signify making a connection or easing into conversation.
**Mad as a hatter**
This phrase, indicating someone who is crazy, comes from the 18th and 19th centuries when hat makers used mercury in the felting process. Prolonged exposure to mercury caused symptoms such as tremors and hallucinations, leading to the stereotype of the 'mad' hatter.
**Close but no cigar**
In the late 19th century, cigars were given as prizes at fairground games. Missing just by a hair’s breadth meant you'll be close, but no cigar for you. Today, it’s used to indicate coming close to success but falling just short.
**Caught red-handed**
This phrase, which means to be caught in the act of committing a crime, comes from an old Scottish law. If someone were caught with blood on their hands after committing a murder, they were literally caught red-handed and would face certain punishment.
**Burn the midnight oil**
Before electricity, people used oil lamps for light. Spending long hours working or studying late into the night meant burning a lot of this oil, and the term 'burning the midnight oil' born out of necessity and perseverance.
**Under the weather**
Originating from maritime culture, when sailors were ill, they would be sent below deck where the rocking of the ship was less intense. Therefore, an ill sailor was 'under the weather'. Today, it simply refers to feeling unwell.
**Cost an arm and a leg**
In the 18th century, painters would charge more for full-body portraits, which included detailed limbs. Thus, if something is exorbitantly priced today, it 'costs an arm and a leg'.
**Fly off the handle**
This phrase came from the 19th-century US, where poorly made axes would often have their heads fly off mid-swing, symbolizing a sudden burst of anger. Now it means losing one's temper unexpectedly.
Phrases and idioms encapsulate so much of history, culture, and human emotion. Next time you use one, remember there's often a fascinating story behind it.