Buzz
My passion for language and its intricacies is no secret. As someone who enjoys delving into the finer details, I take pleasure in sharing intriguing tidbits about words, expressions, and language as a whole. With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of common misunderstandings—a type of list I particularly enjoy—about widely used sayings. These range from spelling mistakes to errors in interpretation. Feel free to share your most disliked common errors in the comments below.
10. Scot Free
Common Saying: To get off scot free
Many believe this phrase implies that Scottish people are frugal, suggesting something is free. However, the term “scot” originates from an old Norse word meaning “payment,” particularly a fee given to a landlord or sheriff. Thus, while the phrase conveys the idea of escaping consequences, it has no link to Scottish culture—it simply means avoiding payment.
9. Fit as a Fiddle
Common Saying: As fit as a fiddle
This expression often misleads due to the word “fit.” Contrary to the modern interpretation of “healthy,” which emerged in the 19th century, “fit” originally meant “suitable.” This older meaning persists in phrases like “fit for a king.” Therefore, “as fit as a fiddle” signifies being perfectly appropriate, not in peak physical condition. The phrase first appeared in the 16th century as “as right as a fiddle.”
8. Another Thing Coming
Common Saying: If you think that, you have another thing coming
This phrase is a distortion of its original form due to the nuances of English pronunciation. The correct version is “if you think that, you have another think coming,” meaning “your assumption is incorrect, so reconsider.” Over time, the silent “k” in “think” led people to misinterpret it as “thing,” even though “another thing coming” is nonsensical. This error is widespread, as evidenced by Google search results: “another thing coming” yields 139,000 results, while “another think coming” only returns 39,000.
7. Eat Humble Pie
Common Saying: Eat humble pie
This expression signifies “humbly apologizing for a mistake.” While it conveys the intended meaning, there’s a common misunderstanding: people often assume it refers to consuming a pie symbolizing humility. In reality, it stems from “umble pie,” an old English dish made from offal—the less desirable parts of an animal, typically eaten by the poor while the wealthy enjoyed prime cuts. The phrase “eat humble pie” is a result of metanalysis, where the original “umble pie” evolved due to similar pronunciation. Similar linguistic shifts include “an apron,” which was once “a napron.”
6. Rule of Thumb
Common Saying: Rule of thumb
Many mistakenly believe this phrase refers to an archaic law permitting a man to beat his wife with a rod no wider than his thumb. However, this is entirely false. No historical records from Britain show any judge or lawmaker endorsing such a rule. In reality, the phrase means making rough estimates rather than relying on precise measurements.
5. On Tender Hooks
Common Saying: On tender hooks
This expression is frequently misspelled. First, what exactly is a “tender hook”? It doesn’t make much sense, does it? That’s because it isn’t correct. The actual phrase is “on tenterhooks.” A tenter was a medieval device used in cloth-making, and tenterhooks were small hooks that stretched the fabric during production. Being on tenterhooks means being in suspense or left hanging.
4. Take a Raincheck
Common Saying: I’ll take a raincheck
This phrase typically means “I’ll postpone for now but do it later.” While this is the widely accepted interpretation (and has been for a long time), its original meaning was slightly different. Initially, a raincheck was a ticket given to baseball fans when a game was canceled due to rain, allowing them to attend a rescheduled game. Over time, it entered general usage, particularly in retail, where it referred to a promise to sell an out-of-stock item once it was available again. Today, its meaning has expanded to simply indicate a deferral rather than a formal offer.
3. Beg the Question
Common Saying: To beg the question
Let’s be honest—most people misunderstand the phrase “beg the question.” While its incorrect usage has become widespread, the original meaning is quite different. Dating back to the 1580s as “to begge the question,” it refers to a logical fallacy where a statement assumes the truth of what it’s trying to prove. For example, “Why does England have fewer trees per acre than any other European country?” assumes England has fewer trees, which may not be true. Similarly, “He must be telling the truth because he never lies” is circular reasoning. Even Descartes’ famous “I think, therefore I am” is an example of begging the question. For those accustomed to the incorrect usage, “prompt the question” is a suitable alternative.
Contributor: JFrater
2. Wreck Havoc
Common Saying: To wreck havoc
Havoc signifies chaos, and to wreck something means to plunge it into disorder. So, why would you create chaos from chaos? It doesn’t make sense. What you might intend is to wreak havoc, as “to wreak” means “to cause something to happen.” The pronunciation differs too: “wreck” sounds like “rek,” while “wreak” sounds like “reek.” It’s a minor but widespread mistake.
1. Free Reign
Common Saying: To give someone free reign
This common misspelling leads to a slight misinterpretation, though the core idea remains intact. Many assume the phrase implies granting someone royal-like authority to act as they please. However, the correct term is “free rein,” originating from the era when horses were the primary mode of transportation. On treacherous or winding paths, riders would loosen the reins, allowing the horse to choose the safest route, as it was often better suited to navigate than the rider.
