We use them in conversation every day. They are short, colorful phrases that perfectly capture a situation, feeling, or idea. But have you ever stopped to wonder where these common sayings actually come from? The origins of these expressions are often far more literal, strange, and fascinating than you might imagine.
Many of these phrases have survived for centuries, passed down through generations until their original meaning was all but forgotten. Unpacking their history is like a miniature treasure hunt through time.
Here are the surprising and true stories behind five common sayings you use all the time.
1. “Saved by the Bell”
- What it means today: To be rescued from a difficult or awkward situation at the very last minute.
- The surprising origin: This phrase has a rather morbid (though likely untrue) backstory. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the fear of being accidentally buried alive was very real. To prevent this horrifying fate, some coffins were designed with a string inside, which was attached to a bell on the surface above the grave. If a person woke up after being buried, they could pull the string and ring the bell to alert people above ground that they were, quite literally, “saved by the bell.” While historians debate how often this actually happened, a more verifiable origin comes from the world of boxing, where a fighter struggling on the ropes is “saved” from being knocked out by the bell that signals the end of a round.
2. “Bite the Bullet”
- What it means today: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination.
- The surprising origin: This expression comes from the battlefields of the 19th century, long before modern anesthesia was available. When a soldier had to undergo emergency surgery, such as an amputation, they needed something to clamp down on to cope with the excruciating pain. They were often given a lead bullet to bite on. The soft metal wouldn’t break their teeth, and the intense pressure of biting helped distract them from the pain of the surgery.
3. “Spill the Beans”
- What it means today: To reveal a secret or disclose information that was supposed to be confidential.
- The surprising origin: This phrase is believed to have originated in ancient Greece. Secret societies and private clubs would use a unique voting system to decide whether to accept a new member. Each existing member would cast a vote by placing either a white bean (a “yes” vote) or a black bean (a “no” vote) into an opaque jar. If someone accidentally knocked over the jar and “spilled the beans,” the secret vote would be revealed to everyone before the official count.
4. “Cat Got Your Tongue?”
- What it means today: A question asked to someone who is unusually quiet or at a loss for words.
- The surprising origin: This saying has two grim potential origins. The first comes from the English Navy, which historically used a whip called the “Cat-o’-nine-tails” for flogging sailors. The pain from this whip was said to be so intense that it would leave the victim speechless for a long time afterward. A second, even darker theory refers to an ancient practice where liars and blasphemers would have their tongues cut out and fed to the king’s cats.
5. “Break the Ice”
- What it means today: To initiate a conversation or social interaction in a new or awkward setting to make people feel more comfortable.
- The surprising origin: Before the age of railways and modern roads, rivers were major trade routes. In the winter, these rivers would freeze over, trapping trade ships in the ice and halting commerce. It was common practice for the destination city to send smaller, more powerful ships to “break the ice” ahead of the cargo ships. This act of clearing a path and opening up the trade route became a powerful metaphor for clearing social tension and opening the way for conversation.