15 Popular Sayings That Have Truly Bizarre Origins
Common phrases we use every day often sound innocent, but many of them have strange and surprising backstories. What seems like simple language can trace back to grim, wild, or completely unexpected sources. Exploring where these sayings came from shows how odd and unpredictable language can be.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Many popular sayings are passed down through generations, but their original meanings are often forgotten. A closer look reveals that everyday phrases sometimes come from dark, humorous, or downright weird places. These expressions have evolved far from their bizarre beginnings, hiding curious tales in plain sight. Discover 15 well-known phrases that have stranger roots than you ever imagined.
1. “Rule of Thumb”
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This phrase originally came from an old belief that a man could legally beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Though the story is debated, the connection to domestic abuse has caused controversy. Today, it’s used for rough estimates, far from its grim link.
2. “Saved by the Bell”
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Many think it comes from boxing, but it is also tied to the fear of being buried alive. People once installed bells in coffins in case the buried person was still alive. The phrase now means a lucky escape, but it started with a terrifying possibility.
3. “Mad as a Hatter”
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Hat makers in the 18th and 19th centuries used mercury in their work, which poisoned them over time. The chemical made many suffer from tremors, hallucinations, and personality changes. The phrase wasn’t just colorful; it described real mental illness.
4. “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
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In medieval markets, sellers sometimes scammed buyers by giving them a cat in a sack instead of a piglet. If someone opened the bag, the trick was revealed, so the saying came to mean exposing a secret or a lie.
5. “Kick the Bucket”
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The phrase is thought to come from how animals were hung for slaughter, with a bucket placed beneath them. When they struggled, they often kicked the bucket, which led to the phrase meaning death. It’s a light phrase with a violent origin.
6. “Bite the Bullet”
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Before anesthesia, soldiers in battle were given a bullet to bite during surgery to help endure pain. It kept them quiet and gave them something to focus on. Now, it means facing something unpleasant, but it started with true suffering.
7. “Cold Turkey”
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Quitting a habit “cold turkey” refers to stopping suddenly and completely, often painfully. The term may come from the cold, clammy, goosebump-filled appearance of someone going through withdrawal. It’s an image far less tidy than the phrase sounds.
8. “Caught Red-Handed”
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This saying comes from old laws about poaching or theft. If someone was caught with blood on their hands, it meant they were guilty of killing an animal or a person. The phrase now applies to any wrongdoing but once referred to literal blood.
9. “Sleep Tight”
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Beds used to be made with ropes that had to be tightened to keep the mattress firm. If the ropes were loose, the bed sagged, making sleep uncomfortable. Hence, “sleep tight” was literal advice for better rest.
10. “Butter Someone Up”
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In ancient India, people would throw balls of butter at statues of gods as a form of flattery. This strange act was believed to earn blessings. Now, the phrase means praising someone for favors, but it once involved actual dairy.
11. “Under the Weather”
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Sailors feeling seasick during storms were sent below deck to recover. Being “under” the weather meant staying away from the harsh sea conditions, and it became a general way to describe feeling unwell.
12. “Break the Ice”
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Long ago, ships had to break through frozen waters to open trade routes. This action helped people connect and start a business or travel. Today, the phrase means to start a conversation, but its roots are in literal ice.
13. “Going Cold”
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Much like “cold turkey,” this phrase often describes sudden emotional withdrawal. It is thought to be linked to the physical sensation of going pale or cold during fear or stress. The phrase now pops up in modern romance and business.
14. “The Whole Nine Yards”
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This phrase may have come from WWII fighter pilots, whose machine gun belts were 27 feet long. If they fired the entire belt at once, they gave “the whole nine yards.” It’s used today to mean going all in, but it has possible ties to combat.
15. “Skeleton in the Closet”
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The saying points to secrets that are hidden because they’re shameful or dangerous. It may come from old scandals where people hid literal evidence of crimes, like bones. It still carries a creepy feel, hinting at something better left hidden.