We use them every day, but have you ever wondered about the origins of popular phrases like “saved by the bell” or “break a leg”? Many common expressions have dark and intriguing backstories that will leave you amazed.
1. “Saved by the Bell”
In the past, people were often afraid of falling into a coma or a deep sleep and being mistaken for dead. To prevent premature burial, a string would be attached to a bell above ground, allowing the accidentally buried to signal for help.
2. “Giving the Cold Shoulder”
In medieval England, unwanted guests were not-so-subtly encouraged to leave by being served a cold piece of meat from the shoulder of mutton. This gesture, known as “giving the cold shoulder,” was a clear signal that it was time for the visitor to depart.
The phrase first appeared in print in Sir Walter Scott’s 1816 novel “The Antiquary,” where he wrote, “The Countess’s dislike didna gang farther at first than just showing o’ the cauld shouther.” (ref) Today, giving someone the cold shoulder is a metaphorical way of expressing disinterest or disapproval.
3. “Caught Red-Handed”
The phrase “caught red-handed” refers to being caught in the act of committing a crime or doing something wrong. Its origin is quite literal, as it alludes to having blood on one’s hands after committing a violent act.
The earliest known use of the phrase dates back to 15th-century Scotland, where it appeared in various forms such as “red-hand,” “redhand,” and “red-handed.” Scottish law even had a category of crime called “taken with the red hand,” which referred to a thief caught with stolen goods in their possession. (ref)
4. Raining Cats & Dogs”
One popular theory suggests that this phrase comes from old England, where cats and dogs would huddle in thatched roofs for warmth. During a heavy rain, the animals would sometimes slip off the roof, making it appear as though it was raining cats and dogs.
Another possible explanation is that the phrase is a corruption of the Old English word “catadupe,” meaning a cataract or waterfall.
5. “Waking Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed”
This is an expression that has its roots in ancient superstition, where the left side of the body was considered sinister or unlucky. In fact, the word “sinister” comes from the Latin word for “left.”
6. “Butter Someone Up”
To “butter someone up” means to flatter or praise them, often with the ulterior motive of gaining a favor or advantage. This expression has a rather unusual origin in ancient India, where people would throw balls of clarified butter at statues of gods to seek favor and forgiveness. (ref)
Over time, the phrase “butter someone up” came to be used metaphorically to describe the act of using flattery to gain favor or influence.
7. “Meeting a Deadline”
The term “deadline” has a grim history that dates back to the American Civil War. During this time, prisoners of war were often held in notoriously harsh conditions. To deter prisoners from escaping, a “dead line” was drawn around the perimeter of the prison. If a prisoner crossed this line, they would be shot dead on sight.
The use of the term “deadline” to describe a time limit or due date emerged in the early 20th century, likely inspired by the dire consequences of crossing the “dead line” in Civil War prisons.
8. “Crocodile Tears”
In medieval times, people believed that crocodiles wept while eating their prey, shedding tears of sorrow as they consumed their victims.
This belief was popularized by various bestiaries and travel accounts, such as Sir John Mandeville’s 14th-century book “The Travels of Sir John Mandeville,” which claimed that crocodiles “slay men and eat them weeping.” (ref)
9. “The Last Straw”
The concept of the “last straw” can be traced back to ancient Greek and Arabic proverbs, which used the analogy of a camel being overburdened to describe a person reaching their breaking point.
The phrase “the last straw” or “the final straw” began to appear in English in the early 19th century and has since become a common way to describe the tipping point in a difficult situation.
10. “White Elephant”
This phrase has its origins in ancient Siam (now Thailand), where white elephants were considered sacred animals and a symbol of the king’s power. According to legend, the kings of Siam would sometimes give a white elephant to a courtier who had fallen out of favor.
While the gift was considered a great honor, it was also a tremendous burden, as the recipient was expected to provide the elephant with the highest level of care and attention, often at great expense. T
11. “Turning a Blind Eye”
The phrase “turning a blind eye” means to deliberately ignore or overlook something, often when it is unethical or illegal. This expression is attributed to the famous British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who, during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, intentionally raised a telescope to his blind eye when given a signal to withdraw from the fight.
12. “Pulling Someone’s Leg”
“Pulling someone’s leg” is a playful way of saying that you are joking with or deceiving someone. However, the origin of this phrase is far from amusing. In old England, thieves would quite literally pull their victims’ legs to trip them, making it easier to rob them while they were down.
13. “Straight from the Horse’s Mouth”
When we say that something comes “straight from the horse’s mouth,” we mean that it is from a reliable or authoritative source. This phrase originates from the practice of examining a horse’s teeth to determine its age and health, which was considered the most accurate way to evaluate a horse.
Since horses cannot speak for themselves, getting information “straight from the horse’s mouth” was the most direct and reliable way to learn about the animal.
14. “Break a Leg”
In the theatre world, it is common to wish actors “break a leg” before a performance, rather than the more traditional “good luck.” To avoid jinxing the performance, well-wishers would instead say “break a leg,” with the idea that wishing something bad would actually bring good luck.
15. “Spill the Beans”
This expression has a rather peculiar origin in ancient Greece, where voting was conducted using beans. White beans signified a positive vote, while black beans indicated a negative vote. The beans were placed in a jar, and the vote was meant to be secret.
If someone accidentally knocked over the jar, the beans would spill out, revealing the results of the secret vote.
16. “Earmarked”
When funds or resources are “earmarked” for a specific purpose, it means they are set aside or reserved for that particular use. This term comes from the practice of marking livestock’s ears with a cut or shape to signify ownership. Each farmer or rancher would have a unique earmark that allowed them to identify their animals.
Just as an earmark designated an animal for a specific owner, funds that are “earmarked” are designated for a specific purpose or recipient.
17. “Blackmail”
The origins of this phrase can be traced back to 16th-century Scotland, where tenants paid their rent, known as “mail,” in silver coins. However, some less scrupulous tenants would pay with goods or livestock, which was known as “black mail.”
18. “Flea Market”
The word “flea market” is likely a translation of the French term “marché aux puces,” which literally means “market of the fleas.”
The association between fleas and secondhand goods comes from the fact that such markets often dealt in used clothing and furniture, which were more likely to contain fleas.
19. “Pleased as Punch”
This phrase comes from the traditional English puppet show “Punch and Judy,” in which the main character, Punch, is known for his violent and mischievous behavior.
In the shows, Punch would often engage in slapstick battles with other characters, and he would express his delight with a distinctive high-pitched laugh whenever he emerged victorious.
20. “Rule of Thumb”
The origin of this phrase is somewhat controversial, with one popular but disputed explanation suggesting that it comes from an old English law that allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick, as long as it was no thicker than his thumb.
While this origin story is often repeated, there is little evidence to support its accuracy. Alternative explanations suggest that the phrase may have originated from the use of the thumb as a rough unit of measurement in various trades and crafts.
Language and Its Hidden Histories
These backstories serve as a powerful reminder that language is not merely a tool for communication, but also a living, breathing entity that evolves alongside our cultures and societies.
So, the next time you catch yourself uttering a familiar phrase, pause for a moment and contemplate the fascinating tale that may lie beneath the surface.
