We Hear Them Everyday
Have you ever heard someone use a phrase and wonder for a second where it comes from. People use these common sayings as part of their everyday language but they must come from somewhere. There is always an explanation of how these sayings came about. These sayings have powerful meanings behind them and they drive the point home. Chances are that during a tough time someone told you, you are going to have to “Bite The Bullet”. Luckily for you I got some of the origins for you so the next time you hear it you’ll know exactly the history behind it. Here are 20 surprising origins of everyday sayings.
1. “Bite The Bullet”
Meaning: Accepting something difficult.
Origin: In battle there was no anesthesia so the surgeon would make soldiers bite down on a bullet to distract them from the pain.
2. “Break The Ice”
Meaning: To start a project or a relationship.
Origin: Before mass transportation, cities with ports who relied on commercial ships would suffer during the winter because of frozen rivers. Small ships known as “icebreakers” would be sent out to rescue big commercial ships and break the ice to create a path for them to follow.
3. “Caught Red-Handed”
Meaning: Being caught doing something wrong.
Origin: This started with a law that was passed. If someone killed an animal that did not belong to him, he had to be caught with the animal’s blood on his hands. This was the only way to be convicted of this crime.
4. “Cold Turkey”
Meaning: To quit something suddenly.
Origin: People thought that the skin of drug addicts who quit would become rough and with goosebumps from withdrawals. Just like the skin of a plucked turkey.
5. “The Whole 9 Yards”
Meaning: Everything possible or available.
Origin: World War II Fighter pilots were provided with a 9-yard chain of ammunition. When in combat if the fighter used the whole chain he gave it the whole 9-yard.
6. “Kick The Bucket”
Meaning: To die.
Origin: At the slaughterhouse the cows would be hung and a bucket placed underneath to drain the blood. During the killing sometimes cows would kick the bucket.
7. “Rub The Wrong Way”
Meaning: To irritate, annoy or bother.
Origin: It comes from the fact that animals generally like to be stroked from head to tail.
8. “Rule Of Thumb”
Meaning: A broadly practiced guide or principle.
Origin: In 17th century England a law was passed that allowed domestic abuse. A man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick as long as the stick was no wider than his thumb.
9. “Saved By The Bell”
Meaning: Saved last minute.
Origin: In boxing a fighter who is about to lose a round can be saved by the bell ringing ending the round.
10. “Show Your True Colors”
Meaning: To show one’s true nature.
Origin: Warships used to put up multiple flags to confuse their enemies. But it was required to put their correct flag before firing.
11. “Spill The Beans”
Meaning: To reveal something.
Origin: In Ancient Greece, beans were used to vote for candidates. A white bean for yes and a black bean for no would be put in jars. At times a clumsy voter would hit the jar and spill the beans.
12. “Woke Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed”
Meaning: To wake up in a bad mood.
Origin: Back in the days the left side of the body was considered evil. Innkeepers would place beds with the left side against the wall to force guests to get up on the right side of the bed.
13. “A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush”
Meaning: Being happy with what you have rather than take a risk and lose it all.
Origin: It comes from medieval falconry where a bird in the hand meaning the falcon was worth more than two in the bush, the prey.
14. “Off The Record”
Meaning: Not an official statement.
Origin: This was accredited to President Franklin Roosevelt in 1932. He was recorded on The Daily Times News saying he was going to talk “off the record”.
15. “Beat Around The Bush”
Meaning: To avoid getting to the point.
Origin: In medieval times hunters hired men to beat on the bushes nearby to flush out game taking cover.
16. “Once In A Blue Moon”
Meaning: Very rarely.
Origin: A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. It is extremely rare.
17. “Play It By Ear”
Meaning: To let things go as it may.
Origin: This comes from playing music without having to look at the score.
18. “Turn A Blind Eye”
Meaning: Pretend not to notice.
Origin: Admiral Horatio Nelson led the attack of the British fleet in the naval battle of Copenhagen in 1801. He was given a signal to withdraw during a naval engagement. Nelson has one blind eye and he was convinced that he could win. He turned the blind eye claiming he did not see the signal.
19. “Crocodile Tears”
Meaning: Insincere tears of expression of sorrow.
Origin: During the 16th century there was a common misconception that crocodiles wept as their devoured or lured their prey.
20. “You’re pulling my leg”
Meaning: To kid, fool or trick someone.
Origin: In the 18th century, thieves would literary pull victims down by their legs in order to rob them easier.
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9 Comments on "20 Surprising Origins Of Everyday Sayings"
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Eating like its Thanksgiving!
Wow I use most of these sayings on a daily basis and you hear other too saying them. But there were a few I didn’t know but now I do! Awesome post.
My favorite ones are Bite the bullet and Crocodile tears lol
I agree with bite the bullet. It’s a great one and pretty common.
Surprising indeed. Cool Origins.
Lol so many misconception and bad information back then. Thank you Lord for the internet….
Interesting stuff. I use some of these sayings and I had no clue where they came from. Good to know.
Good article bro , knew some but not all
lol the origins are pretty hilarious. I would have never guessed some of these.