Language often carries traces of bizarre incidents from the past. Common sayings we use today can have origins that are surprising and fascinating. Let’s dive into 20 everyday phrases and their strange beginnings, exploring how they evolved over time.
Bite The Bullet
The phrase "Bite The Bullet" has a grim yet courageous origin, emerging from 19th-century wartime surgeries. During a time when anesthesia was not available, surgeons instructed patients to bite on a bullet to endure the excruciating pain of operations. The soft lead of the bullet was less likely to break their teeth, making it a practical solution for those enduring surgery on the battlefield. Today, this courageous expression symbolizes the bravery required to face difficult situations with resolve.
Mad As A Hatter
This peculiar phrase traces back to 18th- and 19th-century hatmakers who used mercury nitrate while making felt hats. Prolonged exposure to mercury often led to mercury poisoning, resulting in tremors, hallucinations, and erratic behavior—hence the phrase “mad as a hatter.” The character of the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll’s *Alice in Wonderland* aptly reflects the eccentricities associated with this profession.
Turn A Blind Eye
British Admiral Horatio Nelson is credited with popularizing the phrase “Turn A Blind Eye” during a famous 1801 naval battle. Reportedly, he ignored a retreat signal by bringing his telescope to his blind eye, thus continuing the attack and securing victory. This expression now indicates the deliberate choice to ignore or overlook something.
Butter Someone Up
In ancient India, worshippers often sought favor from their gods by throwing butter balls at statues. This act of flattery eventually made its way into the English language, transforming into “buttering someone up,” which means to charm someone or flatter them for personal gain.
Rule Of Thumb
The phrase “Rule Of Thumb” is commonly used to denote a practical guideline. Its origin likely stems from 17th-century practices where carpenters, brewers, and tailors used their thumbs as rough measurement tools for small distances or quantities. This expression has evolved into a standard reference for approximate measures across various contexts.
Steal Someone’s Thunder
One of the most intriguing phrases, “Steal Someone’s Thunder,” was born from the creative world. In 1709, playwright John Dennis invented a machine to create a thunder sound effect for his play. Unfortunately for Dennis, his play was a flop, yet another production used his thunder effect without credit. His complaint of having his thunder stolen led to the phrase’s current meaning: taking credit for someone else’s idea or creation.
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag
To “let the cat out of the bag” points to revealing a secret, often unexpectedly. This phrase originates from medieval marketplaces where buyers could unknowingly be misled into purchasing a cat instead of a piglet, resulting in fraudulent transactions. Unsealing a bag would reveal the deceit, hence letting the proverbial cat out.
Break The Ice
The term “Break The Ice” relates to maritime practices where ships had to break through ice to create safe passage for travel. In social contexts, it means initiating conversations to ease tension, much like clearing a way for smoother interactions during social gatherings or negotiations.
Paint The Town Red
The phrase has an amusing origin linked to a raucous night out. In 1837, the Marquess of Waterford and his friends vandalized the town of Melton Mowbray, painting doors and signs red. Their escapade captured public attention, and the phrase evolved to mean going out for a lively night of enjoyment.
Under The Weather
Coming from nautical terminology, “Under The Weather” originally referred to sailors who felt unwell and were sent below deck. This expression now commonly denotes feeling ill or unwell, with its nautical roots lending a sense of adventure to a common ailment.
Chew The Fat
Sailors in the 1800s often chewed on salted fat or tough cured meat during long voyages, engaging in conversations while going about this repetitive task. Over time, “chewing the fat” has come to refer to engaging in light, leisurely conversation, much like a casual chat with friends.
Caught Red-Handed
This term finds its origins in medieval Scotland, where individuals literally caught with blood on their hands—typically after a murder or theft—were deemed guilty. The phrase highlights the need for direct evidence in securing convictions and is now commonly used to indicate being caught in the act of wrongdoing.
Saved By The Bell
Oppositely to a common myth about coffins, “Saved By The Bell” actually springs from the sport of boxing. A boxer near defeat could be saved at the end of a round by the ringing bell, indicating that they avoided defeat at that moment. Today, the phrase signifies narrowly escaping trouble.
Skeleton In The Closet
In Victorian England, “Skeleton In The Closet” referred to hidden family scandals, conjuring images of long-buried secrets. This communication now references any embarrassing or shameful secret kept hidden from view, preserving the dramatic undertones associated with its origin.
Pleased As Punch
The phrase “Pleased As Punch” originated from the jocular antics of the character Punch in the 17th-century British puppet show "Punch and Judy." Punch was known for his gleeful, often violent behavior and his infectious laughter. Today, it conveys a sense of extreme happiness or satisfaction.
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
This term is a hunting metaphor that refers to pursuing an incorrect lead. It originated from dogs that would chase prey up one tree while the animal would take refuge in another, leaving the dog barking at the wrong tree. Now it serves as a warning to avoid wasting efforts on false assumptions.
Go Cold Turkey
The origins of the expression “Go Cold Turkey” are somewhat ambiguous. Some suggest it may relate to the cold, unadulterated state of a turkey to describe the harshness of withdrawal from addictions. Regardless, it conveys the act of abruptly quitting something, often involving discomforting challenges.
Riding Shotgun
Reflecting a fascinating history, “Riding Shotgun” technically pertains to stagecoach passengers in the Old West who were armed with shotguns to protect against bandits. Today, it casually refers to sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, adding an element of nostalgia to a simple drive.
Pulling Someone’s Leg
With a somewhat dubious origin, “Pulling Someone’s Leg” originally referred to thieves in 18th-century London who would trip victims by grabbing their legs, making them vulnerable to theft. Over time, it shifted to denote light-hearted teasing or joking, shedding its more sinister connotations.
Language evolves, transforming phrases into vivid reflections of history. These expressions serve not only as a testament to the past but also as a means of connecting modern society to its roots.