SOME MORE ENGLISH IDIOMS AND THEIR STORIES OF ORIGINS

Idioms and Phrases are an integral part of the English language and are commonly used to make sentences fascinating. Idioms are often used in stories, poems and even in spoken words. The origins of these idioms are not always known, but they are said to originate from stories and creative writing and are modified over time. Phrases are unlike idioms, they are actually direct and to the point. They do not have figurative meanings; the expression means what the words indicate.

I have in 5 previous blogs discussed about similar English idioms and how they originated. You can re-visit them by clicking on these hyperlinks:

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-story-behind-english-idioms.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-origin-of-common-english-idioms.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-origin-of-common-english-idioms-2.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-history-behind-some-english-idioms.html

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2024/06/stories-behind-few-english-idioms.html

These are a fresh set of idioms.

"A baker's dozen" 

What does it mean? Thirteen items.

Back in 13th-century Britain, there was a law called the As size of Bread and Ale. It stated that if bakers were caught selling low-quality bread or undersized portions, they could have their hands chopped off. That's why a group or set of 13 is referred to as a baker's dozen - it was a sure-fire way of them keeping their hands! 

"Bite the bullet"

What does it mean? Accepting something difficult or unpleasant.

Where does it come from? Before, during the war, there was no time to administer anesthesia before emergency surgery. Instead, the surgeon made patients bite down on a bullet in an attempt to distract them from the pain. 

"Blood is thicker than Water"

What does it mean? Family comes over and above everything else.

In ancient Middle Eastern culture, blood rituals were performed between men to symbolize a bond that was far greater than those of family. It was believed that blood brother warriors who symbolically shared the blood they shed in battle together were said to have a stronger bond than biological brothers.   

"Break the Ice"

What does it mean? To initiate a friendship or to start a project.

Prior to trains or cars, port cities that thrived on trade suffered during the winter because frozen rivers prevent commercial ships from entering the city. To solve this issues, small ships known as 'icebreakers' would then rescue the icebound ships by breaking the ice and creating a path for them to follow. Today it has quite a different meaning - before any type of business arrangement today, it is now customary to break the ice before beginning a project. 

"Cat Got Your Tongue?"

What does it mean? This saying is said when a person is at a loss for words. 

This common saying has two possible sources. The first refers to the cat-o'-nine tails - a whip used by the English Navy for flogging. The whip had caused so much pain, the victims were left speechless. The second refers to the practice of cutting out the tongues of liars and feeding them to cats. 

"Caught Red-Handed"

What does it mean? Caught doing something wrong.

This saying originated because of law. Some time ago, if someone butchered an animal that didn't belong to him, and was caught with the animal's blood on his hands, he had to be convicted. But being caught with freshly cut meat did not make the person guilty.

"Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater"

What does it mean? Hang on to valuable things when getting rid of unnecessary things. 

In the 1500s, most people would bathe once a year and when they did bathe the entire family would use the same tubful of water. The man of the house would bathe first, then the females and finally, the babies. By the time the babies came to wash, the water would be thick and cloudy. Consequently, the infants' mothers had to take care not to throw them out with the bathwater when they emptied the tub. 

"Eat Humble Pie"

What does it mean? To make an apology and suffer humiliation with it.

During the Middle Ages, the lord of a manor would hold a feast after hunting. Yet, while he would feast on the finest cut of meat at dinner, those of a lower standing were served a pie filled with entrails and innards, which were then known as 'umbles'. So, receiving an 'umble pie' was considered humiliating because it signified the guest's lower status. 

"the Cold Shoulder"

What does it mean? This is considered to be a rude way of telling someone that he isn't welcome. 

 Today, giving the cold shoulder is considered rude. But it was actually regarded as a polite gesture during medieval England. At the end of a feast, the host would let his guests know it was time to leave by giving them a cold piece of meat from the shoulder of beef, mutton or pork. 

"Go Cold Turkey"

What does it mean? To quit something all of a sudden.

It was believed that during withdrawal, the skin of drug addicts would become translucent, hard to touch and covered with bumps and would resemble the skin of a plucked turkey. 

"Go the Whole 9 Yards"

What does it mean? To try your best.

During the Second World War, fighter pilots received a 9-yard chain of ammunition. The saying came about when a pilot used all of his ammunition on one target, he gave it 'the whole 9 yards.'

"Highway robbery" 

What does it mean? Charging too much.

These days, most people would refer to being charged Rs. 250 for a cup of coffee as a highway robbery. With that being said, its original definition meant literally robbing travelers on or near a highway. It's thought that the phrase was first used way back in 1611. 

"Jaywalker"

What does it mean? Someone who crosses the street in a reckless or illegal manner. 

 The term comes from jay birds who traveled outside of the forest into urban areas became confused and unaware of the potential dangers in the city - such as traffic. Fascinated by their erratic behavior people began using the term 'jaywalker' to describe someone who crossed the street irresponsibly. 

"Kick the Bucket"

What does it mean? Simply put, it means to die!

When a cow was killed at a slaughterhouse a bucket was placed under it while it was positioned on a pulley. There were times when the animal's legs would kick during the adjustment of the rope and it would kick the bucket before being killed. 

"Let Your Hair Down"

What does it mean? To relax or to be at ease.

Parisian nobles risked being condemned by their peers if they appeared in public without an elaborate hairdo. As some of the more intricate styles required hours of work, it would always be a relaxing moment to come home at the end of a long day and let their hair down. 

"Letting the cat out of the bag" 

What does that mean? To reveal a secret, often unintentionally.

Nowadays, letting the cat out of the bag means spilling someone's secret, however, the phrase used to mean something completely different back in Medieval times. Back then, farmers would purchase piglets from markets, which would usually be handed over in bags. The thing is that unscrupulous dealers would swap out the pigs they were supposed to be selling for much less expensive cats. This theory is quite hotly disputed. 

"Meeting a deadline" 

What does this mean? Completing a task in time or before time

Meeting a deadline had a very different meaning during the American Civil War than it does today. A deadline was a line inside the area where Federal prisoners were kept. If any of them attempted to cross the line, they would be shot and killed.  

"More Than You Can Shake a Stick At"

What does it mean? To have more of something than you actually need. 

Farmers controlled their sheep by shaking their staffs to show animals where they had to go. But when farmers had more sheep than they could control, it was said they had 'more than you can shake a stick at.'

"No Spring Chicken"

What does it mean? Someone who is no longer in their prime.

In New England, chicken farmers generally sold their chickens during the spring because chickens born at that time of year yielded better earnings than the chickens that survived the winter. Sometimes, farmers would try to sell old birds for the price of a new spring chicken. As buyers who were aware of this complained that the fowl was 'no spring chicken' the term then came to represent anyone past their prime. 

"Paint the town red" 

What does it mean? It is often associated with getting glammed up before heading out for a night of drinking and dancing. 

But that's not what it meant back in 1837. As the story goes, the Marquis of Waterford went out for a night of drinking with some friends. They all proceeded to become quite severely intoxicated, and set about destroying property in the small English town. Things got really crazy when they stumbled upon some red paint, and literally began painting the town red. Doors, a tollgate, and a swan statue were among the victims... 

"Paying through the nose" 

What does it mean? It means paying far too much than the actual worth.

Paying through the nose for something is never a pleasant experience, but at least your face remains intact throughout. The Vikings took paying through the nose quite literally - they used to slit someone's nose from tip to eyebrow if they refused to pay tax. 

"Pleased as Punch"

What does it mean? To be very happy.

During the 17th century, a puppet show for children called Punch and Judy featured a puppet named Punch who killed people. Punch felt pleased with himself after the act of killing as it brought him so much pleasure.

"Pulling your leg" 

What does it mean? A light hearted banter. Deceive or joke in a harmless way.

You'd probably think that pulling someone's leg is just a bit of light-hearted fun, but it meant something much more sinister back in 18th and 19th-century London. Thieves would drag their victims to the ground by their legs so that they were easier to steal from. 

"Read me the riot act" 

What does it mean? To give someone a severe reprimand or warning.

If you were ever read the riot act as a child or teenager, it might have meant being confined to your room for a few weeks without being able to watch television. In 18th-century England, however, it meant that you could face time behind bars. The Riot Act of 1715 stated that groups of 12 or more people gathered on the streets could be deemed a threat to public safety, and therefore ordered to be broken up. Refusal to disperse could also have led to arrests and forcible removals. 

"Riding shotgun"

What does it mean? Sitting in the front seat, just next to the driver

Although it might be the ideal place to ride during a road trip, riding shotgun in the Old West was a much more serious matter. Stagecoach passengers literally rode with a shotgun in their hands in order to scare off robbers to ward off would-be attackers. 

Idioms can convey complex ideas succinctly and memorably. For example, “break the ice” means to initiate conversation in a social setting. They often reflect cultural values and traditions, providing insight into a society's way of thinking. For example, “the early bird catches the worm” emphasizes the value of being protective.They can often paint vivid pictures in the listener's mind. “Bite the Bullet” creates a visual of someone enduring a painful experience bravely. Phrases too can effectively convey feelings and attitudes. “Over the moon” expresses extreme happiness.