Buzz
"Never count your chickens before they hatch!" "Who let the cat out of the bag?" "Let's kill two birds with one stone."
These are just a few of the common phrases, sayings, and proverbs that we use daily in our conversations. Whether you're at work, home, or hanging out with friends at a bar, chances are you've used one of these expressions more than once in your life.
But have we ever paused to consider what these expressions truly mean? Where did they come from? What are their backstories? Some of them don’t even seem to make sense. So, let’s dig into some fun facts and discover the origins of these phrases. More details are just around the corner.
10. ‘Mad As A Hatter’
Ask the average person, and they’ll tell you this well-known saying comes from Alice in Wonderland. However, they would be wrong. The Mad Hatter character isn’t the reason we use this phrase to describe someone who's completely lost their mind.
The real origin of this saying dates back to the time when actual hatmakers used mercury in their craft. The mercury used to treat the hat felt ended up poisoning the hatmakers by harming their nervous systems.
Mercury caused irritability, extreme mood swings, and unpredictable behavior. “Mad hatter’s disease” became the term for mercury poisoning, and the phrase has been widely used ever since.
9. ‘Cat Got Your Tongue?’
Often said with a grin, this phrase has an intriguing history and backstory. “Cat got your tongue?” is a phrase we use when reacting to someone who has suddenly gone quiet or is at a loss for words.
So, what’s the meaning behind it?
Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with cats. In the English navy, punishments were delivered through flogging, using a whip called a cat-o’-nine-tails.
It was a formidable weapon. The pain was so intense that it left the victims mute. They would be too afraid to speak and would often stay silent for a long time after being flogged.
Drunken sailors in the navy would walk around taunting, “Cat got your tongue?” as a way to mock the victims. So, the next time you're left speechless because someone made an excellent point, remember it could have been much worse.
8. ‘Don’t Throw The Baby Out With The Bathwater’
This peculiar phrase dates all the way back to the 1500s. Believe it or not, people in the 16th century would bathe only once a year! To make things worse, entire families shared the same bathwater. The water wasn’t changed as each person took their turn in the bath.
The men went first, followed by the women, and then the children and babies were last. You can imagine how filthy the water had become by the time the babies took their bath. It was so dirty that it became cloudy. In fact, mothers had to be extra cautious to ensure their babies weren’t accidentally tossed out with the soiled bathwater. Whatever happened to women and children first?
The expression, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” now serves as a reminder not to discard something valuable while getting rid of what’s unnecessary. Nothing is more precious than a newborn baby, so the phrase still holds true today. Luckily, we now get to enjoy our own personal baths (or showers).
7. ‘It’s Raining Cats And Dogs’
In the past, houses had thatched roofs made from thick straw piled together, forming a ceiling without wooden support. These roofs were common on farms or in areas abundant with wildlife.
On cold nights, animals would seek warmth in the surroundings. According to one theory, the most reliable spot was on top of these thatched roofs, with the pile of straw. Animals such as dogs, cats, mice, and rats would climb onto the roofs to sleep in the warmth. Bugs also joined them there.
However, when it rained, the thatched roofs became so slippery that cats and dogs would fall off. So, during heavy rain, it literally rained cats and dogs (and mice and bugs, though that doesn’t have the same ring to it).
That’s one possible origin of this phrase. However, many believe this explanation has been debunked over time. The animals would have had to lie on the outer edge of a thatched roof, which seems like an odd place to seek shelter during heavy rainfall.
As a result, the true origin of this phrase remains uncertain. There are various alternative theories, including one popular explanation from Norse mythology. In this version, the storm god Odin is accompanied by dogs and wolves. Witches also feature in the story, flying on their brooms with black cats during storms. When Odin grew angry and caused a storm, it was believed that cats brought the rain and dogs brought the wind.
6. ‘Bring Home The Bacon’
There are several theories regarding the origin of this phrase, but the two most well-known are tied to pigs. One theory suggests that “bring home the bacon” comes from winners at state fairs who brought home greased pigs they had caught during competitions. This act was seen as a display of power and dominance.
The more widely accepted theory is that successful men of the past would buy pork, cook bacon, and then hang it on their walls when hosting guests. This served as a symbol of their success.
Walking into a man’s home and seeing his bacon hanging on the wall signified that he was a person to be respected. In this context, bringing home actual bacon was the ultimate symbol of power and sophistication.
5. ‘A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush’
According to this well-known proverb, it is often wiser to hold onto a smaller, more certain advantage rather than pursuing a larger one that may end up being unattainable. But where did this fascinating phrase originate?
The origin of this saying dates back to medieval falconry. A “bird in the hand” refers to the falcon, the dominant species, while “two in the bush” represents the falcon’s prey. In this context, it is more valuable to be the falcon than the prey being hunted. Thus, you’d prefer to be the bird in the hand rather than two in the bush.
The first recorded use of this proverb is from 1670 when John Ray included it in his book A Hand-book of Proverbs.
4. ‘What’s Good For The Goose Is Good For The Gander’
Jerry Seinfeld might tell you that this well-known saying refers to “a goose that had the ol’ switcheroo pulled on ‘em.” But, like many of his comedic observations, he’s just kidding around.
So, what’s the true origin?
In fact, the proverb originally meant that anything good enough for a man (the gander) should be equally good for a woman (the goose). While we may not think in such terms today, that was the common mindset in the past.
Interestingly, the original phrase was actually, “what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”
3. ‘Crocodile Tears’
We’re all familiar with the phrase “crocodile tears,” but for those who aren’t, let us clarify. This expression describes someone who is pretending to cry or feign emotional distress. When someone does this, they are said to be shedding crocodile tears.
What exactly does this phrase mean, and where did it come from? Do crocodiles cry often? Or is it because they never cry at all?
The origin of this phrase is actually much more fascinating. According to an ancient story, Photios claimed that crocodiles shed tears to deceive their prey, drawing them closer. Once the prey is within reach, the crocodiles stop pretending and strike.
So, if a crocodile is genuinely sad and upset, would its tears still be considered crocodile tears?
2. 'On Cloud Nine'
It had to be number nine, of course. How wonderful is it to experience the sensation of being on cloud nine? How often have you felt that way, and how many times have you used this phrase to describe your emotions?
If you've had a fulfilling life, it's likely been a frequent experience. But have you ever paused to consider where the expression originates? Many of us believed it referred to Heaven, but these theories reveal the true story behind the phrase.
One popular theory behind the saying traces it to a classification of clouds, identified by the US Weather Bureau in the 1950s, called 'Cloud Nine.' It's a fluffy, cumulonimbus-type cloud.
What makes this cloud unique? In the realm of clouds, it's seen as the most captivating, which is why the phrase 'on cloud nine' carries such a positive meaning.
Another theory suggests that 'Cloud Nine' represents one of the stages of enlightenment in Buddhism.
1. 'Eat Crow'
When we have to 'eat crow,' it's typically because we've been proven wrong after strongly defending a particular stance. It's never a pleasant experience, and certainly not a tasty one.
The expression comes from exactly where you'd expect: the meat of a crow is as unappealing as it seems. It's unpleasant and difficult to consume. The connection to the phrase 'eating crow' might end there, but there's an even more fascinating origin tale.
During the War of 1812, an American soldier accidentally ventured into British territory while hunting. The soldier was spotted by a British soldier as he shot and killed a crow. Impressed by his accuracy, the British soldier tricked the American into handing over his gun as punishment.
Once armed, the British soldier pointed the gun at the American's face, forcing him to eat a piece of the crow. After the American complied, the British soldier returned the gun. The American then turned the tables, pointing the gun at the Brit and making him finish the rest of the bird. War can get brutal.
+ ‘To Boot’
Here's a little extra to add to the list, just for boot.
'To boot' is a phrase meaning 'in addition to' or 'besides.' Despite its appearance, it has nothing to do with the winter footwear we slip on our feet.
So, why do we use this term when referring to something being added on?
Legend says that the word 'boot' in this context traces back to Old and Middle English. The original term, bote, meant 'to gain an advantage' or 'to include something in a deal.' As the English language evolved, 'bote' transformed into 'boot,' and the rest is history.
