The Fascinating History And Meaning Behind These 12 Commonly Used Phrases

How many of these phrases have you used your whole life and never knew where they came from?

Elana

• Published in Interesting
• October 23, 2019

Phrases and idioms have become a common and normal part of experiencing life. We have grown up with some of these phrases and use them so casually that chances are, you have never paused to reflect or think about where they came from and why we say them in the first place! They simply... exist.

Well, it left us curious and we couldn't just let that curiosity fester indefinitely. Instead, a little research and reading along the way and we learned the fascinating history behind twelve commonly used phrases and you'll be just as fascinated to learn their history, too!

"Break the ice."

When we intend to break the ice, we intend to break down informality in social situations, but where did the idiom come from? Well, it's something that transformed to become what it is today. Originally, it meant 'to forge a path for others to follow', which alluded to the breaking of ice to allow the navigation of boats. Later, in the late 17th century it was revamped to 'establish a relaxed relationship in socially awkward situations.'

"Turn a blind eye."

In today's tumultuous political climate you've probably become very familiar with the reality that people frequently turn a blind eye to evidence, facts, and direction. But where in history did referencing deliberately ignoring something become about a blind eye?

There were two points in history, the first being by the British novelist Francis Lathom in Men and Manners in 1800, and then it became more known and popularized when Admiral Horatio Nelson, blind in one eye,said it when he deliberately disobeyed instruction to "disengage."

"Give him the cold shoulder."

We're sure you're familiar with the idea of giving someone the "cold shoulder," deliberately being rude, cold, or even blatantly mean to someone. We aren't 100% sure where this phrase came from but as far back as the 1800's it was supposedly referenced to house guests: welcome guests were given a hot and inviting meal while unwanted guests were given a cold mutton shoulder.

The first reference to the phrase in print is in Sir Walter Scott's 'The Antiquary' in 1816.

"Bite the Bullet."

Some things in life are simultaneously unpleasant and unavoidable. We might pump each other up with an encouraging phrase to the tune of, "I guess I better bite the bullet."

Some people believe this phrase is somehow in reference to biting a bullet during surgical procedures prior to the discovery and use of anaesthetics, but there is very little historical evidence that is an accurate assumption. Instead, the phrase is most likely derived from the practice of putting a shell casing over an aching tooth until you could see a dentist.

"Butter them up."

If you want to butter someone up, you want to flatter them into a good mood, usually before giving them some bad news or asking for something difficult. The phrase originates from ancient Indians, who threw balls of butter at statues of gods and goddesses in order to secure their favor.

"Bury the hatchet."

To bury the hatchet is to let go of conflict, permanently. The origins of the phrases are much richer than what one might expect for how commonly it's used today. Rooted in indigenous culture, the phrase was used regarding Native Americans; hatchets were buried by the chiefs of tribes when they came to a peace agreement.

"You're barking up the wrong tree."

Has anyone ever had the wrong idea about you? You may have sternly informed them that they were "barking up the wrong tree." Have you ever wondered why that's the chosen phrase when someone has made a mistake or false assumption?

In 1832 James Kirke Paulding’s Westward Ho!, published the phrase, derived from hunting dogs that get confused about where prey has gone and stood barking at the base of an empty tree. After Pauling used the phrase to illustrate his point, the phrase quickly caught on in the United States.

"Caught red handed."

If you've been "caught red handed," then you've been busted doing something wrong. You naughty noodle! There's nothing confusing or unusual about the origins of this phrase, it's actually quite simple. Dating all the way back to Scotland in the 1400's, being caught red handed directly referred to poachers having blood on their hands when they were caught.

"Rubbed the wrong way."

Chances are someone has rubbed you the wrong way before. You can't quite explain it, but something about them isn't right and whatever it is, your instincts are telling you they're up to no good. Some theories suggest this idiom originated from Americans wanting their floors rubbed the right way, but most people believe it came from directions about how to pet a cat. After all, one never wants to rub a cat the wrong way.

"Mad as a hatter."

The Mad Hatter might have a more beloved place in your heart, especially if you're a fan of Alice in Wonderland, but the origins of this illusion refer to something genuinely dark. Hat makers devoted their entire lives to constructing hats and in doing so were directly exposed to mercury (used in the felt,) and caused symptoms that mimicked madness. Symptoms like irritability and tremors.

"Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."

Alright, you may be a little less familiar with this phrase but it's simple: don't get rid of the good when you're getting rid of the bad. The phrase is a proverb, to the tune of "don't count your chickens before they hatch," and has been around since the early 1500's where it first appeared in print in Germany.

"Go the whole nine yards."

Last but certainly not least, go the whole nine yards. To give something your all, your best, and to see it through to the end. Why do we say this? The truth is that no one knows for sure. There is a long, long list of suggestions but there is no verifiable evidence to support them. It is a phrase that simply... exists.

Elana