Have you ever wondered where common sayings come from? These phrases are passed down through generations and become part of our everyday language. In this article, we will explore the origins of some of the most popular sayings.
Bite the Bullet
The phrase "bite the bullet" originated from a time when wounded soldiers were given a bullet to bite down on during surgery without anesthesia. This was done to distract them from the pain they were experiencing.
Break The Ice
When ships were still a primary mode of transportation, they would sometimes get stuck in ice. To free the ship, crew members would have to "break the ice" by using a heavy tool to hit and crack the ice.
Caught Red-Handed
The phrase "caught red-handed" comes from 15th century Scotland, where it was a law that hunters could only hunt on land they owned. If a hunter was caught poaching on someone else's land, they would be caught with blood on their hands from the animal they killed.
Cost An Arm And A Leg
The phrase "cost an arm and a leg" became popular during the 1950s. It is believed to have originated from the cost of portrait paintings during that time period. Artists charged a premium for paintings that included arms and legs in the portrait.
Curiosity Killed The Cat
The phrase "curiosity killed the cat" was first recorded in 1598 in a play by Ben Jonson. It is believed to have originated from the earlier proverb "care killed the cat," which meant that being too nosy or curious could lead to trouble.
Don't Cry Over Spilt Milk
The phrase "don't cry over spilt milk" means that there's no use in crying over something that has already happened and cannot be changed. It is believed to have originated from a 1659 book by James Howell, where he wrote "no weeping for shed milk."
Go The Extra Mile
The phrase "go the extra mile" comes from a passage in the Bible where Jesus says, "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (Matthew 5:41). This passage refers to the practice in ancient times of Roman soldiers forcing civilians to carry their equipment for one mile.
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag
The phrase "let the cat out of the bag" means to reveal a secret. It is believed to have originated from the practice of fraudsters selling a piglet in a bag, but sometimes substituting a cat instead. If the cat was let out of the bag, the fraud was revealed.
Piece Of Cake
The phrase "piece of cake" means something that is easy to do. It is believed to have originated from the Royal Air Force during World War II, where pilots would describe an easy mission as a "piece of cake."
Rule Of Thumb
The phrase "rule of thumb" means a general principle that is based on experience rather than exact measurements. It is believed to have originated from the practice of carpenters using their thumb as a rough measurement for objects.
See Eye To Eye
The phrase "see eye to eye" means to agree with someone. It is believed to have originated from the Bible, where Job says "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee" (Job 42:5).
Sleep Tight
The phrase "sleep tight" means to have a good night's sleep. It is believed to have originated from the practice of using ropes to support a mattress on a bed frame. To make the mattress tighter, the ropes would need to be pulled tight.
Spill The Beans
The phrase "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret. Its origin is unclear, but some believe it comes from ancient Greece, where people would vote by placing beans in a jar. If someone revealed the number of beans in the jar before the voting was over, it could influence the outcome.
Take It With A Grain Of Salt
The phrase "take it with a grain of salt" means to not take something too seriously or literally. It is believed to have originated from ancient Rome, where it was believed that taking a grain of salt with food could help digestion and make the food more palatable.
The Ball Is In Your Court
The phrase "the ball is in your court" means that it is the other person's turn to take action. It is believed to have originated from tennis, where the ball is hit back and forth between players on opposite sides of the court.
The Whole Nine Yards
The phrase "the whole nine yards" means everything or the full extent of something. Its origin is unclear, but some believe it comes from the length of ammunition belts used in World War II aircrafts. If a pilot used all of their ammunition, they would have fired "the whole nine yards."
Under The Weather
The phrase "under the weather" means to feel sick or unwell. Its origin is unclear, but some believe it comes from the practice of sailors becoming seasick when they were below deck during rough weather.
When It Rains, It Pours
The phrase "when it rains, it pours" means that when one bad thing happens, a lot of bad things happen all at once. It was originally used as a slogan for Morton Salt in the 1920s, referring to the fact that their salt would not clump together even in humid or rainy weather.
Wrap Up
These are just a few of the many popular sayings that we use in our everyday language. Knowing the origin of these phrases can give us a deeper understanding of the history and culture that surrounds them.