The Weird Origins of Common Phrases
The English language is a vibrant tapestry woven with countless threads of history, culture and human experience. We toss around phrases daily without often pausing to consider the curious and surprising stories behind them. Every idiom carries a whisper of the past, a relic from a time when life was vastly different, and our ancestors’ struggles, fears and traditions shaped the very words we speak today.
Join us on a journey through the linguistic looking glass, as we explore the weird origins of some of our most beloved (and baffling) common phrases.
'Break a Leg'
Consider the simple encouragement to "break a leg." In the high-stakes world of theatre, uttering "good luck" is a cardinal sin, believed to tempt fate and bring about the very opposite. So actors, instead, wish each other to "break a leg."
The precise genesis of this theatrical quirk is debated. Some believe it refers to the "leg line," the curtain at the side of the stage, implying an actor will cross it so many times for encores that the curtain itself might metaphorically "break." Another theory links it to the physical act of bowing or curtsying so profusely that one's leg might feel like breaking, a sign of an enthusiastic and appreciative audience, and, thus, a paid performance.
Indeed, some sources suggest "leg" might have referred to the moment an actor literally bent a leg in a bow, a prerequisite for receiving their pay.
'Spill the Beans'
Moving from the stage to ancient forums, imagine the tension of a vote where the outcome hung on the contents of a jar. This is the likely source of "spill the beans."
In ancient Greece, citizens cast their votes using beans: a white bean for a "yes" and a black bean for a "no." They were placed into a jar, and the final tally determined the decision. If, either by accident or design, the jar was tipped over and its contents scattered before the official count, the results would be revealed ahead of time, effectively "spilling the beans."
'Let the Cat Out of the Bag'
Similarly rooted in deception is "let the cat out of the bag." Today, this phrase signifies revealing a secret. Its origins, however, are much less innocent, taking us back to medieval markets rife with cunning tricksters.
Unscrupulous sellers would sometimes attempt to swindle buyers by presenting a bag - or "poke" - claiming it contained a valuable suckling pig. In reality, it often concealed a much cheaper, scrawny (or even dead) cat. The moment the unsuspecting buyer "let the cat out of the bag," the deception was exposed.
This practice also gave rise to the related phrase "buy a pig in a poke," meaning to purchase something without inspecting it first and thereby risk being swindled.
'Raining Cats and Dogs'
When the heavens open and torrents of rain descend, we often describe it as "raining cats and dogs." This dramatic imagery has several theories, most pointing to the unsanitary and often grim conditions of historical urban life. One fascinating, albeit less direct, theory connects it to Norse mythology, where cats were associated with witches flying on broomsticks during storms, and dogs were symbols of Odin.
A more visceral explanation, common in 17th-century Europe, suggests that during exceptionally heavy downpours, streets with poor drainage would flood, carrying away dead animals (including stray cats and dogs) washed out of sewers or off rooftops. This created the horrifying illusion that these creatures were literally falling from the sky.
Another, more linguistic, theory proposes that "catadupe" or "cataract," meaning a waterfall, was corrupted, with "dog" being a twist on "dox," meaning heavy rain.
'Bite the Bullet'
In the face of unavoidable pain or a daunting task, we're told to "bite the bullet," signifying the need to endure with courage. This phrase draws its strength from a particularly harrowing aspect of 19th-century battlefield medicine.
Before the widespread availability of anesthesia, soldiers undergoing excruciating surgeries (like amputations) on the battlefield were sometimes given a lead bullet to clench between their teeth. This served multiple purposes: it offered a physical distraction from the agony, prevented them from screaming uncontrollably and, crucially, protected them from biting off their own tongue during moments of intense pain.
It’s a testament to the sheer fortitude required in desperate circumstances.
'Kicking the Bucket'
This euphemism for death is another phrase with a macabre, yet compelling, origin story. While several theories abound, one of the most commonly cited relates to the brutal practices of slaughterhouses.
When pigs were prepared for slaughter, they were hoisted upside down by their heels from a beam - or "bucket" - to be bled. As they struggled and thrashed, they'd quite literally "kick the bucket" (the beam) before passing.
'Beyond the Pale'
To describe something as "beyond the pale" implies it's unacceptable, outrageous or outside the bounds of civilized behavior. It has its roots in historical geography and political division, specifically in Ireland.
"The Pale" was a fortified territory established by the English around Dublin in the 14th century. Land "within the Pale" was considered orderly, under English law and customs, and generally safe. However, land "beyond the Pale" was perceived as wild, dangerous and inhabited by the "barbaric" native Irish.
To go "beyond the Pale" was to venture into uncivilized territory, both literally and figuratively.