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An idiom is a collection of words that form an expression with a figurative meaning, not a literal one. Expressions such as 'it’s raining cats and dogs' might baffle non-native speakers. While we frequently use idioms and popular phrases in our daily conversations, how many of us truly know their origins? Below, we explore the fascinating backstories of ten widely used phrases.
10. Pull Out All the Stops
The phrase 'pull out all the stops' is often used to describe putting in maximum effort to accomplish something. For example, your boss might urge you to pull out all the stops for a critical project, or you might recount how you went all out to organize a successful event. However, this expression has historical roots tied to the mechanics of a pipe organ.
In the context of a pipe organ, 'stops' refer to the knobs that control the instrument's sound by selecting which sets of pipes are active. These pipes are organized into groups called ranks, with each rank corresponding to a note on the keyboard. Airflow powers the pipes, and the stop knobs regulate this airflow. By pushing or pulling these knobs, the organist determines which ranks are in use. If all the stops are pulled out, air flows through every rank simultaneously, producing a powerful, unfiltered sound.
The British poet Matthew Arnold is credited with being the first to use a version of this phrase figuratively in his 1865 work Essays in Criticism, where he likened his fellow countrymen to an organ. Over time, the phrase evolved into the version we commonly use today.
9. Put a Sock in It
The phrase 'Put a sock in it!' is often used to tell someone to stop talking or to be quiet. Its exact origin is unclear, but it is thought to have emerged in Britain during the early 20th century. The expression likely refers to the idea of placing a sock in someone’s mouth to silence them if they were being loud or bothersome.
The phrase first appeared in print in 1919, defined by the literary review The Athenaeum as meaning 'leave off talking, singing, or shouting.' It is also considered old military slang, possibly coined by someone in the armed forces. Additionally, the phrase has been linked to reducing the volume of musical instruments by inserting a sock into them.
8. Go Bananas
The phrase 'go bananas' can mean someone is about to become extremely excited or, conversely, very angry. For instance, you might say, 'If he scores this goal, the crowd will go bananas!' to describe excitement. On the other hand, 'Frank might go bananas if he loses his job' conveys anger. You might also recall Gwen Stefani’s popular song that spells out the word, adding a modern twist to this expression.
The exact origin of the phrase is unclear, but it may have evolved from the 1950s slang term 'go ape.' The connection between apes and bananas likely helped popularize the phrase. Various theories attempt to explain its roots, such as mental patients eating bananas to improve brain function, leading people to say 'going bananas' instead of 'going crazy.' Other wild theories include smoking banana peels, the scent of bananas, and songs referencing bananas. As Gwen Stefani might say, this s*** is B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
7. Butter Someone Up
To 'butter someone up' doesn’t involve literally spreading butter on them but rather involves flattery to win their favor or gain something. This phrase traces back to Ancient India, where worshippers would throw balls of Ghee butter at statues of deities during religious ceremonies.
Ghee, a form of clarified butter with all water removed, was used to create these butter balls. The act was believed to help worshippers gain blessings from the gods, such as prosperity and good health.
6. Bite the Bullet
In the American Civil War, soldiers often lacked anesthesia during medical procedures. To endure the pain, they would bite down on bullets during surgeries. Similarly, historical accounts suggest that individuals facing severe punishments, like lashings, would also bite bullets to distract themselves from the agony. This practice was first documented in the 1796 publication A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.
Today, the phrase 'bite the bullet' signifies facing a difficult situation with courage and accepting the consequences. For example, someone might say, 'It’s time to bite the bullet and own up to my mistakes.' The idiom was first used in Rudyard Kipling’s The Light That Failed, where a character is urged, 'Bite on the bullet, old man, and don’t let them think you’re afraid.'
5. Sleep Tight
'Sleep tight, and don’t let the bed bugs bite' is a phrase many parents say to their children at bedtime, and it might be something you now tell your own kids. Essentially, 'sleep tight' is a warm and familiar way to wish someone a good night’s rest.
The phrase 'sleep tight' first appeared in print in 1866 within Susan Bradford Eppe’s diary, Through Some Eventful Years. She penned, 'All is ready, and we leave as soon as breakfast is over. Goodbye, little diary. Sleep tight, and wake bright, for I will need you when I return.' By the late 19th century, the expression had become widespread in both Britain and America. While some speculate its origin relates to the tightness of mattress strings, it’s more likely tied to the rhyme with 'night' and 'bite.'
4. Rule of Thumb
A 'rule of thumb' refers to a practical, experience-based guideline rather than a precise method. Its origins are murky, but the phrase first appeared in James Durham’s sermons in 1685. It also surfaced in Sir William Hope’s The Complete Fencing Master in 1692 and James Kelly’s Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs in 1721.
Some theories suggest the phrase stems from an old English law permitting husbands to discipline their wives with a stick no wider than a thumb. However, no such law has been verified. Sir William Blackstone, an English judge, referenced domestic discipline in his writings but never mentioned a thumb-based measurement. Historically, a thumb’s width was also used as an inch equivalent in the textile trade and by brewers to gauge the temperature of brewing vats.
3. Chow Down
The phrase 'chow down' is commonly used to describe sitting down to eat. For example, someone might say, 'The meal is ready, let’s chow down!' Originally, the term was quite literal, referring to swallowing food. It first appeared together in a 1937 issue of The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, which stated, 'You can ask me anything, but only after Williams and I have thrown some chow down our throats.'
The expression 'chow down' gained popularity during World War II within the U.S. military. A 1942 article in The Hammond Times described life on a submarine, noting, 'Chow down, sir,' a mess attendant announced… Served on navy blue and white china, we enjoyed steak, potatoes, peas, and ice cream.'
2. Run Amok
The phrase 'run amok' typically describes someone acting wildly or uncontrollably. A common misconception ties it to sailors running ships into muck, but its true origin lies in Asia, where it referred to a state of frenzied rage leading to violence. It is believed to stem from the Amuco, a group of mercenary warriors in Malaysia and Java who were hired during conflicts to attack and kill indiscriminately.
Captain James documented this behavior in his 1772 work Voyages, writing, 'To run amock is to get drunk with opium… to rush out and kill those who have wronged the Amock, as well as anyone who tries to stop them.'
1. Son of a Gun
The expression 'son of a gun' is often used as a milder alternative to 'son of a b**ch,' typically referring to someone who is mischievous or untrustworthy. Its origins trace back roughly 200 years, when it was used to describe the son of a military man. The Royal Navy occasionally permitted women, such as wives or girlfriends, to stay on ships, despite it being against official regulations.
Ship logs meticulously recorded everyone who boarded, disembarked, or died on the vessel, including women. They also noted births occurring on board. If a child’s father was unidentified, the log would list them as a 'son of a gun.' Over time, this term expanded to include all children born on ships and eventually referred to any child of a military man.
