he History of 18 Popular English Sayings That Don’t Seem to Make Sense
English is full of idiomatic expressions and sayings that, at first glance, might seem confusing or completely illogical. These phrases, often ingrained in daily conversation, come from diverse historical contexts and sometimes undergo transformations over centuries.
Here’s the history behind 18 common English sayings that don’t seem to make sense at face value.
1. “Bite the Bullet”
Meaning: To endure something painful or unpleasant that is inevitable.
Origin: The phrase comes from the practice of having soldiers bite down on a bullet during surgery, especially in the 19th century, when anesthesia was not available. This was done to help them cope with the intense pain of surgery. The phrase has evolved to mean enduring hardship or discomfort.
2. “Break the Ice”
Meaning: To initiate conversation or interaction in a social setting, especially when people are meeting for the first time.
Origin: In the past, ships would sometimes break the ice in waterways to allow boats to pass through. Socially, “breaking the ice” referred to breaking down initial social barriers in order to allow for smoother interaction, just as ships break physical barriers to navigate.
3. “Raining Cats and Dogs”
Meaning: To rain very heavily.
Origin: The origins of this phrase are unclear, but one theory suggests it comes from 17th-century England when heavy rain would often wash dead animals (like cats and dogs) through the streets. Another explanation involves the word “catadupe,” which means a waterfall or downpour, and over time, became corrupted into “cats and dogs.”
4. “The Ball Is in Your Court”
Meaning: It’s now up to you to make the next decision or take action.
Origin: This saying comes from the world of tennis, where the ball is hit into one player’s side of the court, and it’s their responsibility to hit it back. It’s used figuratively to indicate that the responsibility has shifted to you.
5. “Spill the Beans”
Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose something that was meant to be kept private.
Origin: The phrase may stem from ancient Greece, where voting was conducted using beans—white beans for yes, black for no. If the beans were spilled, the vote would be revealed prematurely, hence “spilling the beans” meant accidentally revealing something you weren’t supposed to.
6. “A Penny for Your Thoughts”
Meaning: A way of asking someone what they are thinking.
Origin: This saying dates back to the 16th century, where it was a way of asking someone to share their thoughts or opinions, even if they were just worth a penny. In the past, a penny was a more significant sum than it is now, implying that someone’s thoughts are valuable.
7. “Under the Weather”
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.
Origin: This phrase originated from maritime terminology. When sailors felt sick, they were sent below deck to rest and recover, out of the harsh weather conditions on deck. The phrase then evolved to mean feeling unwell in general.
8. “To Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
Origin: In medieval markets, farmers would sell a pig in a sack. Sometimes, dishonest sellers would substitute the pig with a cat. If the cat was let out of the bag, the trick was revealed. Hence, “letting the cat out of the bag” means revealing a secret or a scam.
9. “Curiosity Killed the Cat”
Meaning: Being overly inquisitive can lead to trouble.
Origin: The full version of the saying is “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” It originally referred to a cat’s tendency to get into things it shouldn’t. Over time, the phrase has come to symbolize the idea that overindulgence in curiosity can have negative consequences.
10. “Saved by the Bell”
Meaning: Saved from an unpleasant situation just in time.
Origin: This phrase is often thought to come from boxing, where a fighter is saved from a knockout by the bell signaling the end of the round. However, another theory suggests it stems from the 18th century, where people who were prematurely buried were sometimes saved by a bell placed in their coffins, so they could ring it if they were still alive.
11. “Burning the Midnight Oil”
Meaning: To stay up late working or studying.
Origin: Before electric lights, people would use oil lamps to light their work at night. The act of burning the midnight oil meant working late into the night, often by the light of an oil lamp, and is still used to describe late-night work.
12. “Kick the Bucket”
Meaning: To die.
Origin: One theory suggests that “kick the bucket” comes from a method of slaughtering animals. A bucket was placed under an animal to catch its blood, and when it was killed, it would sometimes kick the bucket. The phrase eventually became a euphemism for dying.
13. “A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush”
Meaning: It’s better to appreciate what you have than risk it for something more uncertain.
Origin: This phrase comes from hunting and falconry. A bird in the hand represents something secure, while birds in the bush were wild and more difficult to catch. The saying advises holding onto what you already have instead of chasing after something uncertain.
14. “Penny Wise, Pound Foolish”
Meaning: Someone who is careful about small amounts of money but careless with larger sums.
Origin: The saying dates back to the 17th century. In old British currency, a penny was a small amount, but a pound was much more valuable. The phrase illustrates someone who pays excessive attention to small savings but neglects bigger financial decisions, which could lead to greater loss.
15. “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie”
Meaning: Don’t disturb a situation that is currently peaceful or calm.
Origin: This saying likely originates from the idea that waking a sleeping dog could provoke it into attacking or causing trouble. It’s a metaphor for leaving things as they are and not stirring up trouble that could cause unnecessary conflict.
16. “The Early Bird Catches the Worm”
Meaning: Success comes to those who start early or take initiative.
Origin: This phrase is believed to have come from the natural world, where early risers (like birds) are the ones who find food first. The metaphor encourages promptness and being proactive to seize opportunities.
17. “Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk”
Meaning: Don’t waste time worrying about things that can’t be fixed.
Origin: This phrase likely stems from the idea that once milk is spilled, it can’t be recovered, so there’s no point in crying over it. It’s a reminder that mistakes happen, and it’s more productive to move forward than dwell on things you can’t change.
18. “Hitting the Nail on the Head”
Meaning: To be exactly correct or to identify the exact cause of a problem.
Origin: The origin comes from carpentry. If you hit the nail on the head, it means you’ve hit it squarely and directly, driving it in properly. Over time, it became a metaphor for getting things exactly right in any situation.