The Surprising Origins of Common Phrases We Use Today

Language is constantly evolving, and as a result, many of the phrases we use today have surprising origins. Here are the surprising stories behind some common sayings.

Bite the bullet

This phrase, which means to endure a painful or difficult situation, originated during the 19th century when soldiers were given bullets to bite on as a way to cope with the pain of surgery before anesthesia was widely available.

Break the ice

This phrase, which means to start a conversation or break down social barriers, has its roots in the 16th century when ships were forced to break through ice in order to reach their destination.

Cat got your tongue?

This phrase, which is often used to express surprise or confusion when someone is silent, may have originated from the ancient Middle Eastern practice of cutting out the tongues of liars and feeding them to cats.

Chew the fat

This phrase, which means to have a casual conversation, has its roots in the days when sailors would chew on salted meat, known as “hardtack,” while discussing various topics.

Cut to the chase

This phrase, which means to get to the point or skip the small talk, was first used in the early days of cinema when action scenes would often be preceded by long and drawn-out dialogue. Directors would shout “cut to the chase” to move the scene along.

Dressed to the nines

This phrase, which means to be dressed in one’s best clothes, may have originated from the fact that the finest quality suits in the 18th century required nine yards of fabric to make.

The whole nine yards

This phrase, which means everything or the whole amount, may have originated from the length of the ammunition belts used in World War II aircraft, which were nine yards long.

Saved by the bell

This phrase, which means to be rescued from a difficult situation at the last moment, has its roots in the practice of burying people with a bell that could be rung in case they were mistakenly buried alive.

Spill the beans

This phrase, which means to reveal a secret, has its origins in ancient Greece, where voting was done by placing beans in a jar. If someone accidentally knocked over the jar, the beans would spill and the vote would be revealed.

The whole shebang

This phrase, which means everything or the entire thing, may have originated from the Irish word “siochain,” which means peace, and was used to describe a drinking establishment where all were welcome.

The apple of one’s eye

This phrase, which means someone’s favorite or most cherished thing, has its roots in ancient Greek and Latin literature, where the pupil of the eye was referred to as the “apple.”

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater

This phrase, which means to be careful not to discard something valuable along with something worthless, has its origins in medieval times when family members would bathe in the same tub in order of rank, with the baby being bathed last. By that time, the water would be so dirty that it was easy to accidentally toss out the baby along with the bathwater.

Hocus pocus

This phrase, which is often used by magicians and illusionists, may have originated from the Latin phrase “Hoc est corpus meum,” meaning “This is my body,” which was spoken during the Catholic ritual of transubstantiation.

Kick the bucket

This phrase, which means to die, may have originated from the practice of placing a bucket under a person’s feet during an execution by hanging, as the person’s feet would kick the bucket as they struggled.

Piece of cake

This phrase, which means something is easy, may have originated from the early 20th century, when cake walks were popular dances that involved a cake as a prize. The winner would be given a piece of cake as a trophy, thus making it seem like an easy prize to obtain.

Raining cats and dogs

This phrase, which means a heavy rain, has uncertain origins but is often attributed to the idea that animals would seek refuge on thatched roofs during heavy rain, which could lead to them falling off when the roofs became slippery.

Take a rain check

This phrase, which means to postpone or reschedule an event, has its roots in baseball, where a rain check could be given to spectators in case of a rained-out game, allowing them to attend a future game.

Under the weather

This phrase, which means to feel ill or unwell, has nautical origins, as sailors who became seasick were often sent below deck to avoid the weather.

Baker’s dozen

This phrase, which means 13 instead of the usual 12, has its origins in medieval England when bakers would add an extra loaf of bread to a dozen in order to avoid being penalized for selling underweight bread.

Caught red-handed

This phrase, which means to be caught in the act of doing something wrong, has its origins in Scottish law, where a person caught poaching would have blood on their hands from killing an animal.

In the doghouse

This phrase, which means to be in trouble or out of favor, has its origins in the practice of having a separate small house for dogs outside the main house. If a person was in trouble, they might be sent to the doghouse as a form of punishment.

Kill two birds with one stone

This phrase, which means to accomplish two things at once, has its origins in ancient hunting practices, where hunters would throw a stone to kill two birds at the same time.

Let the cat out of the bag

This phrase, which means to reveal a secret or surprise, has its origins in medieval markets, where merchants would often sell piglets in bags. If a dishonest merchant wanted to cheat a customer, they might put a cat in the bag instead of a piglet. If the customer discovered the deception, the cat would be out of the bag.

Straight from the horse’s mouth

This phrase, which means to get information from a reliable source, has its origins in horse racing, where bettors would try to get information directly from the trainers or jockeys who knew the horses best.

Turn a blind eye

This phrase, which means to ignore or overlook something, has its origins in the British navy during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was partially blind, was ordered to retreat but instead raised his telescope to his blind eye and said he couldn’t see the signal.

Mad as a hatter

This phrase, which means to be insane or crazy, has its origins in the 19th century when mercury was used in the hat-making process. Prolonged exposure to mercury vapors caused physical and mental health problems in hat makers, leading to the phrase “mad as a hatter.”

The real McCoy

This phrase, which means something is genuine or authentic, has its origins in the world of boxing. The term was coined in the early 20th century to refer to welterweight boxer Kid McCoy, who was known for his authenticity and refusal to throw fights.

The proof is in the pudding

This phrase, which means that the results will speak for themselves, has its origins in the Middle Ages when “pudding” referred to a type of sausage that often contained a variety of ingredients. The quality of the pudding could only be determined by tasting it, hence the phrase “the proof is in the pudding.”

Throw in the towel

This phrase, which means to give up or admit defeat, has its origins in boxing, where a fighter’s cornerman might throw a towel into the ring to signal the end of the match.

Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve

This phrase, which means to show one’s emotions openly, has its origins in medieval jousting tournaments. Knights would wear a lady’s ribbon or scarf on their sleeve as a sign of their affection, making their emotions visible for all to see.

You can’t judge a book by its cover

This phrase, which means that appearances can be deceiving, has its origins in the early 20th century when books were sold in plain covers that gave no indication of their content or quality.

Butter someone up

This phrase, which means to flatter someone, has its origins in ancient India where it was customary to throw balls of clarified butter at statues of the gods in order to seek their favor.

Close, but no cigar

This phrase, which means to almost succeed but fall just short, has its origins in carnivals and fairs where cigars were often given out as prizes for winning games.

Costs an arm and a leg

This phrase, which means something is very expensive, has uncertain origins, but one theory suggests that it originated from the practice of portrait painters charging more for a painting that included the subject’s limbs.

Give the cold shoulder

This phrase, which means to ignore or snub someone, has its origins in medieval England where it was customary to serve a cold shoulder of beef to unwelcome guests instead of the usual hot meal.

Kick the habit

This phrase, which means to quit a bad habit, has its origins in the Roman Catholic Church where “the habit” referred to the distinctive clothing worn by members of religious orders.

Rule of thumb

This phrase, which means a general principle or guideline, has its origins in 17th century England when it was legal for a man to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.

Take the cake

This phrase, which means to be the most outstanding or impressive, has its origins in ancient Greece where cakes were given out as prizes for winning competitions.

Jump the gun

This phrase, which means to start something too soon, has its origins in track and field where runners who started the race before the starting gun was fired would be disqualified for jumping the gun.

More than you can shake a stick at

This phrase, which means an overwhelming amount, has its origins in 19th century America where it was common to use a stick to count livestock. A large herd would require more than one stick, so having “more than you can shake a stick at” meant a vast number of animals.

Put a sock in it

This phrase, which means to be quiet or stop talking, has its origins in early gramophone players where a sock was often used to muffle the sound. If the sound was too loud, someone might say “put a sock in it” to lower the volume.

Scapegoat

This phrase, which means a person who is unfairly blamed for something, has its origins in the Old Testament where a goat would be symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and then sent into the wilderness to atone for those sins.

Turn over a new leaf

This phrase, which means to start fresh or make a positive change, has its origins in the practice of turning the page of a book or notebook to start a new chapter or section.

Sick as a dog

This phrase, which means to feel very sick or unwell, has its origins in ancient times when dogs were associated with illness and disease. The phrase may also have been influenced by the belief that dogs can become ill after eating spoiled food.

Sleep tight

This phrase, which means to sleep well or soundly, has its origins in the days of old-fashioned beds with ropes that held the mattress in place. To ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, the ropes would need to be tightened regularly.

Whistleblower

This phrase, which refers to a person who exposes wrongdoing or misconduct, has its origins in the practice of British police officers blowing a whistle to summon help or alert other officers to a crime in progress.

Wild goose chase

This phrase, which means a futile or hopeless pursuit, has its origins in medieval hunting where it was considered difficult to catch a wild goose. The pursuit of such a bird was seen as a hopeless task.

Win hands down

This phrase, which means to win easily or without effort, has its origins in horse racing where a jockey who was so far ahead that he could relax his grip on the reins and lower his hands would be said to “win hands down.”

Wrap one’s head around

This phrase, which means to understand or comprehend something, has its origins in the 19th century when it was common for people to physically wrap their heads in cloth to alleviate pain or treat various ailments. The phrase may have been influenced by this practice.

Zero hour

This phrase, which means the moment when something important or significant begins, has its origins in military terminology where it refers to the time when a military operation is scheduled to begin.

These common phrases have fascinating origins that offer a glimpse into the historical contexts and cultural influences that have shaped the English language.

Blood is thicker than water

This phrase, which means that family relationships are more important than other relationships, has its origins in the Middle Ages where the full phrase was “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” The original meaning was the opposite of the modern usage, suggesting that bonds forged through shared experiences were stronger than familial bonds.

Dead ringer

This phrase, which means an exact copy or duplicate, has its origins in horse racing where a ringer was a horse that was substituted for another horse in order to deceive gamblers. A dead ringer was a horse that looked so similar to the original that even experienced gamblers could not tell the difference.

The elephant in the room

This phrase, which means an obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to address, has uncertain origins but may be related to the story of the blind men and the elephant where each man touches a different part of the elephant and forms a different interpretation of the whole.

Every cloud has a silver lining

This phrase, which means that even in difficult or unpleasant situations, there is always a positive aspect to be found, has its origins in the 17th century where silver threads were woven into dark cloth to create a subtle shine.

These common phrases have fascinating origins that offer a glimpse into the historical contexts and cultural influences that have shaped the English language.

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Kaplan, M. (2015, September 16). The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Phrases. Mental Floss. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68354/surprising-origins-9-common-phrases

Loria, K. (2015, September 15). The Shocking Histories of 10 Everyday Sayings. Business Insider. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.businessinsider.com/origins-of-common-sayings-2015-9

Reader’s Digest. (2020, December 10). 13 Common Sayings With Historical Origins. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.rd.com/list/common-sayings-and-their-historical-origins/

Smithsonian Magazine. (2016, November 16). The Surprising Origins of 10 Common Phrases. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/surprising-origins-10-common-phrases-180961687/