Buzz
Many of the words and phrases we use today retain their original meanings, while others have undergone significant changes, with their true origins concealed by time. Uncovering the history behind these expressions helps us better understand their modern interpretations.
10. Scapegoat
Contemporary definition: A person unfairly assigned blame for the wrongdoings or mistakes of others.
Goats might not be pleased to learn the origin of the term 'scapegoat,' which dates back to an ancient Hebrew tradition. Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, involved a ritual where the 'scapegoat' was introduced. The term 'scapegoat' stems from the Hebrew words meaning 'goat for Azazel,' and was first used in 1530 by William Tyndale. In his English translation of the Bible, Tyndale used 'Azazel' in connection with a specific Jewish ritual, translating it as 'the goat which escapes' or 'escape goat.'
The ritual was a means for the Israelites to seek atonement for their sins, beginning with two goats presented to the high priest. One was sacrificed to Jehovah, and the other was chosen for a special role. The sins of the people were symbolically placed on the head of the goat for Azazel, which was then led out into the wilderness. Like a forsaken character from a Brothers Grimm story, the goat was left to wander alone, though some historians suggest it was driven to the edge of a cliff to jump off. The Hebrew word Tyndale translated as 'escape' is more commonly understood to mean 'go away forever.'
9. White Elephant
Current meaning: An item that is much more expensive than it is truly worth.
Originating from the kingdom of Siam (now Thailand), this phrase has roots in the practices of the Siamese kings. When the king was offended by someone's actions or words, he didn't immediately resort to execution. Instead, he would present the offender with a symbolic gift of the country: a white elephant. The recipient could not refuse this gift, as doing so was seen as an act of treason. However, the gift was no blessing, as caring for the elephant could drive the person to bankruptcy.
The phrase entered the English language thanks to the famed showman and circus owner P.T. Barnum. He was one of the first to bring a white elephant from Siam to the public, captivating them with the exotic creature. The audience's excitement turned to disappointment when they realized the elephant was actually light gray, not white. Barnum himself was aware that these elephants weren't truly white and worked to correct the misconception.
8. Running Amok
Modern meaning: A violent and uncontrolled rampage, often against people or objects.
Now recognized as a legitimate psychiatric condition present across cultures worldwide, the phrase 'running amok' originated from the Malay people in the 1700s. At the time, it was viewed as a curse caused by malicious spirits. A person who was running amok would typically lose all reason, causing harm to anyone or anything in their path until they were subdued. Tragically, those affected often met their end during the process.
In the 1770s, British explorer James Cook provided one of the earliest Western accounts of this condition, describing an episode he witnessed firsthand. The psychosis frequently led to severe injuries for multiple victims and struck without warning or specific cause. The term itself comes from the Malay word 'mengamok,' which translates to 'to make a furious and desperate charge.'
7. Gadzooks
Current meaning: An exclamation expressing surprise or frustration.
'Gadzooks' is a minced oath, created to allow Christians to avoid using the Lord’s name in vain. In the early 1600s, the English Parliament passed a law that made it punishable to 'profanely speak the holy name of God.' It didn’t take long for people to find workarounds, and eventually, 'God' was replaced with 'gad' or 'od' when used in expressions.
The term 'gadzooks' originated as a euphemism for 'God’s hooks,' referring to the nails or spikes that were used to fasten Christ to the cross. Another similar expression is 'odds bodkins,' which substituted 'God’s body.' Both phrases served to avoid taking God's name directly.
6. Add Insult to Injury
Modern meaning: To make a bad situation even worse.
This phrase originates from Aesop’s fable 'The Bald Man and the Fly,' which was translated from the Roman writer Phaedrus, who lived in the first century AD. In the fable, a fly bites a bald man on the head. As the man attempts to swat the fly, he accidentally strikes himself, inflicting a mortal wound. While the man is dying, the fly circles above him, mocking him for his self-inflicted harm. In some versions, the man survives but still faces the embarrassment of the fly's taunts. The original fable, in one of its oddest variations, has the man kill the fly before insulting himself.
Unfortunately, Phaedrus' work attracted the ire of Roman Emperor Sejanus, who felt that the fables portrayed him in an unflattering light. Although the precise punishment and fate of Phaedrus remain unknown, one theory suggests he was exiled, continuing to write while enduring his punishment.
5. Between A Rock And A Hard Place
Modern meaning: Being forced to choose between two unpleasant or difficult options.
A phrase similar in meaning to 'between a rock and a hard place' dates back to the 4th century BC, though the specific expression itself is much more recent, emerging in 20th-century America. First coined by miners, it referred to the difficult choice between unemployment and grueling, low-paying labor in the mines. The miners, however, may not have known that the origin of the phrase can be traced back to the Greek poet Homer.
In 'The Odyssey,' the epic poem by Homer, Odysseus and his crew must navigate the perilous Straits of Messina, where two terrifying monsters guard the waters: Scylla, a creature with six heads and twelve legs, and Charybdis, a dangerous whirlpool or possibly a sea monster that creates one. Facing either monster meant certain death for some of the sailors, giving rise to the expression 'between Scylla and Charybdis,' which came to symbolize a choice between two equally undesirable options.
'Bust One’s Chops' is an idiomatic expression, commonly used to refer to the act of calling out someone’s bluff or criticizing them harshly.
Today's definition: To challenge someone's claims or criticize them sharply.
In the 1800s, when sideburns (and Ambrose Burnside) were at the peak of their popularity, this phrase was frequently used as a challenge to someone’s integrity. The phrase became less common around the time World War I began, as men were required to shave the sides of their faces to fit protective gas masks.
As a saying, it wasn’t just figurative—'busting one’s chop' could also be taken literally. A 'bust to one’s chops' referred to a punch to the side of one’s face. Due to the popularity of sideburns between the 1950s and 1970s, especially with figures like Lemmy, the phrase had a brief resurgence before fading into obscurity today.
3. In Stitches
Today’s meaning: Laughing uncontrollably
The immortal Bard, Shakespeare, is credited with creating many well-known expressions, but we’ve selected just one. First appearing in his play Twelfth Night, 'to be in stitches' refers to a kind of pain so intense from laughter that it feels like you are being poked by a needle. Despite Shakespeare’s influence, this phrase gradually disappeared from common use.
Reappearing in the 1900s, the phrase shifted from its original form, 'laugh yourself into stitches.' While it may not be as widely used today as it was during the 20th century, expressions like 'in stitches' or 'had me in stitches' remain part of everyday speech. In addition to this, Shakespeare is also credited with introducing phrases such as 'break the ice,' 'brave new world,' and 'bated breath,' among the over 1,700 words and expressions we owe to him.
2. Basket Case
Today’s meaning: A person or thing unable to cope with their situation; a person considered mentally unstable
The phrase has been used in the US since 1919, with its roots in wartime. Early references typically referred to a person who had all four of their limbs amputated, implying they were 'stuck in a basket.' Some even believed this to be a literal situation. Despite military officials repeatedly denying the existence of soldiers actually trapped in baskets, the rumor persisted for many years.
The modern interpretation emerged much later, possibly around the late 1940s. This newer meaning is a natural progression of the phrase. Since someone who had lost all their limbs would struggle to care for themselves, it made sense that a person with severe mental challenges would face a similar inability to manage their situation.
1. Give The Cold Shoulder
Today’s meaning: To disregard someone
While the precise origins of this expression remain uncertain, the earliest known reference can be traced back to the writings of Walter Scott, a celebrated Scottish poet and novelist from the 18th and 19th centuries. Although his works make no mention of food or provide any clues about its true origin, it is widely believed that this phrase evolved from an older one, 'to give the cold shoulder of mutton.'
The older expression was often used in the context of an unwelcome guest in someone's home. In an effort to maintain decorum or avoid an uncomfortable conversation, the host might offer a less desirable cut of meat, such as cold mutton, signaling that the guest was no longer welcome.
