The Unusual Origins of 20 Famous Sayings You Probably Haven’t Heard Before!
Think about all those quirky phrases and sayings you use every day. They might not make much sense if you take them literally. Ever wondered why we talk the way we do? Sometimes, it’s easy to guess, but other times, it’s a real head-scratcher.
The surprising thing is, lots of those strange sayings we use today have really old stories behind them. They can come from history, famous stories, important people, religion, or even advertisements. Let’s dig into the stories behind some cool phrases!
Blood Is Thicker Than Water
Meaning: Family relationships and loyalties are the strongest and most important ones.
While some may interpret this saying as prioritizing family over friends, its original meaning back in the days was quite the opposite. The full phrase, “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb,” referred to warriors who shared the blood they shed in battles together. These “blood brothers” were believed to have stronger bonds than biological brothers.
Sleep Tight
Meaning: to sleep deeply and well Good night.
The traditional story behind the expression “sleep tight” connects to beds from medieval times. These beds didn’t have springs; instead, they had ropes that had to be firmly tied under the mattress to keep it stable, giving rise to the phrase “sleep tight.”
Son Of A Gun
Meaning: A jocular or affectionate way of addressing or referring to someone.
In the past, sailors would occasionally bring their wives on extended ocean voyages. It’s believed that if a woman gave birth on a ship, it was done in the most secluded area, between the cannons on the ship’s gun deck. This led to children born on ships being humorously referred to as “sons of a gun.”
Show your True Colors
Meaning: To show what one is really like.
On a ship, bringing down your colors to conceal your nation’s flag is a tactical maneuver. In a naval battle, when you raise your flag back up after keeping it hidden, you’re revealing your true identity.
Raining Cats And Dogs
Meaning: Rain very hard.
The origin of this saying is a bit mysterious, with two intriguing stories to choose from. The first tale traces it back to Norse mythology, where cats represented heavy rains and dogs were linked to the storm god Odin.
The second version transports us to 16th-century England, where houses had thatched roofs, and animals sought warmth there. When heavy rain made the roofs slippery, cats and dogs would slip and fall, creating the illusion of “raining cats and dogs!
Bite the Bullet
Meaning: To accept something difficult or unpleasant.
During times of war and limited anesthesia, soldiers were given bullets to bite on to endure painful surgeries.
OK
Meaning: All right; good or well enough
This two-letter word has a complex history. It is believed to have originated in the 1830s as an abbreviation for “oll korrect,” a humorous misspelling of “all correct.” It gained popularity and evolved into “OK,” becoming a universal symbol of approval or agreement.
Best Man
Meaning: A male friend or relative chosen by a bridegroom to assist him at his wedding.
According to legend, in the days of feudal society, there was a risk that a rival Lord might disrupt a wedding and attempt to seize the bride for political gain. To prevent any such trouble, grooms would enlist their closest friends to stand by their side during the ceremony, ready to assist in case of a confrontation. This trusted companion next to the groom earned the title of “Best Man.”
Rule Of Thumb
Meaning: A broadly accurate guide or principle, based on experience or practice rather than theory.
The “rule of thumb” is thought to have originated in 17th century England when Judge Sir Francis Buller decreed that husbands could use a stick to discipline their wives, provided it was no wider than the width of his thumb.
Break a Leg
Meaning: Good luck!
This saying comes from the theater world, which is known for being a little superstitious. Actors used to think that if you wished them “good luck,” it would actually bring them bad luck on stage. So, they started telling each other to “break a leg” instead. It’s like a reverse psychology thing, and it brought them good luck instead!
Turn a Blind Eye
Meaning: Pretend not to notice.
The famous British Naval hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson, had one blind eye. There’s a story about him during a battle with Danish ships. When his own side signaled him to stop, he put a telescope to his blind eye and said, “I don’t see the signal.” He kept on fighting and won. Some people think this might just be a made-up battlefield story, but the phrase “turn a blind eye” stuck around.
Honeymoon
Meaning: A holiday spent together by a newly married couple.
In accordance with tradition, newlyweds would consume a honey-infused beverage for a whole month to ensure fertility and invite good fortune.
Butter Someone Up
Meaning: Flatter or praise someone as a means of gaining their help or support.
The phrase traces back to a tradition of offering small objects, like balls of butter, to statues of gods for blessings.
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Meaning: Used to describe when someone is at a loss of words or being unusually quiet.
In the past, the English Navy had a harsh punishment called the “Cat-o’-nine-tails,” which was a whip with nine tails. It was incredibly painful and made people keep quiet for a while. Another idea about where this phrase comes from is ancient Egypt. There, they would cut out the tongues of liars and blasphemers and feed them to cats.
Caught Red-Handed
Meaning: To discover someone while they are doing something bad or illegal.
This comes from an ancient English law that said if someone slaughtered an animal that didn’t belong to them, they could only be convicted if they were caught with the animal’s blood still on their hands.
Give a Cold Shoulder
Meaning: To intentionally ignore someone or treat someone in an unfriendly way.
The first time people wrote down this saying was in the early 1800s. It goes back to a tradition where, if someone wasn’t a very welcome guest, they’d be offered a cold piece of meat from the shoulder of a mutton, pork, or beef chop. A warm serving was for the guests they really liked. It was a polite way to say, “You’re free to go now.”
Under the Weather
Meaning: To feel slightly ill.
When a sailor got sick, usually due to rough seas, they’d be told to go below decks to the most stable part of the ship, right under the weather rail. Over time, people started saying “under the weather” as a shorter way to describe feeling unwell.
Spill the Beans
Meaning: Disclose a secret.
Just like many phrases, the exact origin of this one is debated, but one idea goes way back to ancient Greece. They used to have people vote anonymously by using white and black beans to signify “yes” or “no.”
Riding Shotgun
Meaning: Used to claim the right to sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle on a particular journey.
This phrase harks back to the days of old-fashioned stagecoaches when a passenger sat beside the driver armed with a shotgun, ready to fend off attackers and robbers during the journey. While there is no concrete evidence that this expression was used during the “Wild West” era, it is more likely to have emerged later when the media and films started idealizing that period.
Achilles Heel
Meaning: A weakness or vulnerable point.
This saying originates from Greek mythology, specifically the story of Thetis, who dipped her son Achilles in the Styx, a river known for its incredible power and supposed invincibility. However, Thetis held her son by his heel, leaving that part of his body untouched by the water and vulnerable. Tragically, Achilles met his end when an arrow struck his heel.
Language is constantly evolving, adapting to its surroundings, much like a living organism. Do you have any sayings’ origins you’d like to share with our readers that aren’t mentioned here? Feel free to leave a comment!
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