Do you ever wonder why you “bite the bullet” but never the sword, or why you “spill the beans” but not the peas? It turns out our everyday language is a living museum, and the phrases we toss around are the artifacts, each with a wild story to tell.
You might be surprised to learn just how much of our language is built on these ready-made phrases. Believe it or not, multiword expressions like idioms make up a massive chunk—some linguists estimate over 50%—of the English we speak and write. So while we rely on formulaic language constantly, the classic phrases with the best backstories are actually rare gems.
This isn’t a sign of language getting lazy or “breaking down.” Far from it. As the renowned linguist David Crystal puts it, “Language changes and moves in a different direction evolving all the time. Where a lot of people see deterioration, I see expressive development”. Each of these sayings is a linguistic fossil, a snapshot of a specific moment in history—a battlefield medical practice, a bizarre medieval custom, or a quirky law from centuries ago.
Here are 17 of these phrases, revealing the wild, often shocking, and sometimes hilarious stories that gave them meaning.
The Surprisingly Grim Story Behind ‘Bite the Bullet’
You know the feeling. You have to do something you’ve been dreading, so you just suck it up and “bite the bullet.” It means facing a challenging situation with courage, but its origin is way more literal—and a lot more painful.
The phrase comes from the grim practice of giving a patient a lead bullet to bite down on during surgery to distract from excruciating pain. Before the days of anesthesia, this was one of the only ways to cope while a surgeon, say, amputated a limb on a battlefield. The first recorded use of the phrase in this figurative sense comes from Rudyard Kipling’s 1891 novel, The Light that Failed.
There’s another theory that it evolved from the British expression “to bite the cartridge,” which dates back to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Soldiers had to bite open paper gunpowder cartridges that were greased with animal fat—a practice that was against their religious beliefs. Either way, the phrase is rooted in enduring a truly awful experience.
Why We ‘Break the Ice’ With Ships, Not Hammers
When you’re trying to start a conversation at a party, you might tell a joke to “break the ice.” This is all about easing social tension, but the original meaning was about easing a very different kind of tension.
Long before roads and rail, ships were vital for trade. However, during winter, they often got stuck in frozen rivers or ports. To get things moving, the country receiving the goods would send smaller, more powerful ships to literally “break the ice.”
This act cleared a path for the trade vessel and was seen as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation. The phrase first appeared figuratively in Samuel Butler’s 1678 poem Hudibras, where a character “broke silence, and the Ice,” showing how it had already sailed from the literal docks into our everyday language.
‘Butter Someone Up’ Has Ancient, Religious Roots
We’ve all done it. You need a favor, so you start laying on the compliments thick, hoping to “butter someone up.” It’s a classic move, but it has nothing to do with toast.
This saying traces back to a devotional act in ancient India where people would throw balls of clarified butter (ghee) at statues of their gods to seek forgiveness and favor. This physical act of slathering a deity with butter in hopes of getting something in return was the original form of “buttering up.”
Over time, this very literal act of seeking favor from the gods evolved into the metaphorical phrase we use today for flattering our bosses, partners, or anyone we need something from.
The Tragic Truth of Being ‘Mad as a Hatter’
When you call someone “mad as a hatter,” you probably think of the quirky character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. But the phrase existed long before Lewis Carroll’s book, and its origins are much darker.
This saying describes a grim reality for hat makers in the 17th to 19th centuries who used mercury nitrate to turn animal fur into felt for hats. Workplace safety was nonexistent, and these workers, called hatters, were breathing in toxic mercury fumes all day in poorly ventilated rooms.
This prolonged exposure led to mercury poisoning, a condition nicknamed “Mad Hatter’s Disease“. The symptoms included tremors (known as the “Danbury shakes”), slurred speech, irritability, and hallucinations, which made the unfortunate hatters appear “mad” to outsiders.
The Dark Origins of ‘Cat Got Your Tongue?’
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” It’s a playful way to ask someone why they’re so quiet. But the theories behind this phrase are anything but playful.
One of the grimmest possible origin points to the “Cat-o’-nine-tails,” a brutal whip used for flogging in the English Navy. The whip had nine knotted cords, and the pain it inflicted was supposedly so intense that it left victims speechless for a long time afterward.
If that’s not dark enough for you, there’s another theory from ancient Egypt. It’s said that the tongues of liars and blasphemers were cut out and literally fed to cats as punishment. Both stories link the phrase to a very real and very horrifying inability to speak.
How Admiral Nelson Helped Us ‘Turn a Blind Eye’
When you “turn a blind eye,” you’re deliberately ignoring something you know you should probably address. The phrase is often credited to one of history’s most famous acts of strategic disobedience.
The saying is famously linked to British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who had lost sight in one eye in a previous battle. During the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen, his cautious superior officer, Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, signaled for him to withdraw his ships.
Convinced he could win, Nelson famously lifted his telescope to his blind eye and declared, “I really do not see the signal”. He pressed the attack and secured a massive victory for the British. While some historians now believe the story might be a battlefield myth, its legend was so powerful that it permanently cemented the phrase in our language.
Why People Used to Literally ‘Bury the Hatchet’
If you and a friend finally make up after a big fight, you might agree to “bury the hatchet.” It’s a powerful symbol of making peace, and it comes from an equally powerful real-life ceremony.
This phrase originates from a literal peace-making ritual practiced by some Native American tribes, particularly during the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy. When warring tribes reached a peace agreement, the chiefs would meet to ceremonially bury their weapons—hatchets, tomahawks, and clubs—in the ground.
This act symbolized the end of the conflict by making the tools of war inaccessible. It was a profound declaration that the fighting was over, a meaning that has carried through the centuries into our modern, metaphorical use of the phrase.
The Bloody Tale of Being ‘Caught Red-Handed’
Being “caught red-handed” means being caught in the act of doing something wrong, with the evidence plain for all to see. The original evidence? Actual blood.
This saying isn’t just metaphorical; it comes from an old English and Scottish law from the 15th century. Under this law, the only way to convict someone of butchering another person’s animal (a common crime at the time) was to catch them with the animal’s blood still on their hands.
Being “caught red-handed” was the irrefutable proof of guilt. There was no arguing your way out of it if you were literally standing there with bloody hands. The phrase first appeared in Scottish legal texts before it ever became a common idiom.
How to ‘Give a Cold Shoulder’ With Medieval Mutton
When someone ignores you or is deliberately unfriendly, you might say they’re “giving you the cold shoulder.” This phrase for a chilly reception comes from an old and rather passive-aggressive dining custom.
In medieval England, a host would serve a warm, freshly cooked meal to a welcome guest. But an overstaying or unwelcome guest got a “cold shoulder” of mutton, pork, or beef. This was a polite but firm culinary signal that dinner was over, and it was time for them to leave.
The famous Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott popularized the phrase in the early 1800s, using it in his 1816 book The Antiquary. From there, it quickly became a staple for describing frosty social interactions.
What It Really Means to ‘Go the Whole Nine Yards’
If you “go the whole nine yards,” you’re giving it your all and holding nothing back. It’s one of the most common phrases in English, but its origin is one of the language’s greatest mysteries.
A widely-held belief is that this phrase comes from World War II fighter pilots, whose machine gun ammunition belts were nine yards long. To use all your ammo in a dogfight was to literally “go the whole nine yards”. It sounds perfect, but there’s a problem: the phrase has been found in print from as early as 1907, well before World War I, let alone WWII.
So, what’s the real story? Nobody knows for sure. Other theories suggest it refers to the amount of cloth needed for a fancy three-piece suit, a Scottish kilt, or even the capacity of a cement mixer. For now, it remains one of the hottest debated etymological riddles.
The Ancient Greek Vote That Helps Us ‘Spill the Beans’
Whoops, you “spilled the beans” about the surprise party. You’ve just revealed a secret, and you have an ancient democratic process to thank for the phrase.
This saying likely dates back to a voting method in ancient Greece. Citizens used beans to cast their votes in secret. Voters would place a white bean in a jar for a ‘yes’ vote and a black or brown bean for a ‘no’ vote.
The jars weren’t transparent, so the results were hidden until the votes were counted. But if someone clumsily knocked over the jar, they would literally “spill the beans,” prematurely revealing the secret outcome of the election for everyone to see.
The Morbid Theories Behind ‘Kick the Bucket’
“Kicking the bucket” is a rather blunt and informal way of saying someone has died. It’s a bit dark, and its possible origins are even darker.
One grim theory suggests the “bucket” was actually a wooden beam or yoke used in 16th-century slaughterhouses to hang animals by their feet. During their death throes, the animals would struggle and kick against the beam, hence “kicking the bucket.”
Another, even more graphic theory, suggests it refers to suicide by hanging. A person would stand on an overturned bucket with a noose around their neck and then kick the bucket away. While the true origin is still debated, both possibilities paint a pretty bleak picture.
The Drunken Riot That Taught Us to ‘Paint the Town Red’
When you and your friends go out to “paint the town red,” you’re planning a night of wild celebration. You probably aren’t planning on bringing actual paint, but one infamous aristocrat did.
This saying might come from a legendary night of drunkenness with a notorious prankster. After a day of drinking, he and his friends stormed the English town of Melton Mowbray.
They went on a vandalism spree, knocking over flowerpots, stealing door knockers, and, yes, literally painting buildings, signs, and even the unfortunate tollbooth keeper with red paint they had stolen. While the story is true, the phrase didn’t show up in print until decades later in America, leaving the door open for a little etymological mystery.
Why You Don’t Want Someone to Literally ‘Read the Riot Act’
If you’re making too much noise and your neighbor threatens to “read you the riot act,” you know you’re in for a serious lecture. Back in 18th-century England, however, the threat was much more real.
In 18th-century England, the Riot Act was a very real legal document passed by the British government in 1715 to prevent unruly assemblies. The government, fearing a rebellion, gave local officials the power to confront any group of 12 or more people and command them to disperse.
They did this by literally reading a proclamation from the act. If the crowd didn’t break up within one hour, they could be arrested by force. So, having the “riot act” read to you was the final, official warning before things got serious—a meaning that has stuck with the phrase to this day.
The Boxing Ring Origin of Being ‘Saved by the Bell’
This is one of the most famous examples of a folk etymology. This story sounds true but isn’t. Many people believe “saved by the bell” comes from the morbid practice of burying people in “safety coffins” with a string attached to a bell above ground, just in case they were buried alive.
While those creepy coffins did exist, there’s no evidence that the phrase is connected to them. The real origin is much more recent and comes from the world of boxing.
In the ring, a boxer who is on the verge of being knocked out can be rescued from defeat if the bell rings to signal the end of the round. That last-second reprieve is the true source of the idiom. So, it’s not about escaping a coffin, but escaping a knockout punch.
Why You ‘Woke Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed’
Ever had one of those days where you wake up grumpy for no reason? Someone might say you “woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” This isn’t just about your mood; it’s about an ancient superstition.
The saying is rooted in an ancient Roman belief that the left side of anything was unlucky or associated with evil. In fact, the Latin word for “left” is sinister, which gives you a pretty good idea of how they felt about it.
Romans believed it was incredibly important to get out of bed on the right side—literally the right-hand side—to ensure a good day. Getting out on the left, or “wrong,” side was thought to invite bad luck and a foul temper for the rest of the day.
The Ancient Greek Reason You Shouldn’t ‘Rest on Your Laurels’
If you “rest on your laurels,” you become complacent, relying on past successes instead of striving for new ones. The phrase originally meant the exact opposite.
In ancient Greece and Rome, laurel leaves were sacred to the god Apollo and were woven into wreaths to crown victors. These laurel wreaths were the highest honor for triumphant athletes, celebrated poets, and victorious military generals at the Pythian Games.
Originally, ” resting on your laurels” was a good thing—it meant you could literally relax and enjoy the glory of your achievements.
However, over time, the meaning underwent a semantic shift known as pejoration, taking on the negative connotation of laziness we know today. It’s a perfect example of how the meaning of a phrase can completely flip over the centuries.
Key Takeaway
From battlefield surgery and ancient voting rituals to passive-aggressive dinner service, the words we use every day are packed with more history, drama, and humor than we could ever imagine. They are tiny time capsules, preserving the customs, beliefs, and even the fears of the people who came before us.
It’s a powerful reminder that our language is constantly evolving, shaped by the lives of its speakers. As author Rita Mae Brown once said, “Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going”.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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