6 Unexpected Origins of Common Sayings and Phrases
While many sayings we use today are commonplace, their origins are not as well-known. Many come from the Medieval period or earlier, and the origins of common sayings are often quite different from what we expect. From currying favor to biting the bullet, below are six unique origins of common sayings and phrases.
6. “Sink or Swim”
In Medieval times, a person was not judged by the scientific method but by water. Sixth on our list of origins of common sayings, a person’s innocence was shown by casting them into a lake. If the victim sunk, they were innocent, but if they floated, they were guilty. This begged the question, would it be better to drown and be innocent, or float and be killed by an angry mob?
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5. “Baker’s Dozen”
Next, our origins of common sayings list centers around buying delicious baked goods. While getting a Baker’s Dozen may seem like a courtesy, the true origin is quite different. Enacted in 1262, the Assize of Bread and Ale sought to stop bakers from selling underweight loaves. So, to stay on the right side of the law, bakers would give an extra piece of bread away with every loaf, and a thirteenth loaf with every dozen.
4. “Curry Favor”
While our fourth selection for origins of common sayings may sound like it relates to Indian food, it doesn’t at all. The phrase actually came from the Middle English words “curry fave,” translating to rubbing down a chestnut horse. A 14th-century story, Le Roman de Favuel, had characters rub a chestnut horse to win favor and assistance and has since translated to human interactions.
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3. “Give Someone the Cold Shoulder”
Rounding out the top three origins of common sayings is the cold shoulder. Hospitality was extremely important in the Middle Ages, which meant a guest would often receive a grand meal and top treatment until they left. But what if they overstayed their welcome? They would be served leftovers, such as a cold shoulder of mutton, leading us to this unforgettable phrase.
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2. “A Pinch of Salt”
Second on our list of origins of common sayings has to do with seasoning. “Addito salis grano” was first coined by Pliny the Elder around 77 AD, referring to King Mithridates VI of Pontus, who developed immunity to poisoning by ingesting small amounts with a grain of salt to make them more tolerable. Later, the English started using a similar phrase “cum grano salis” in the Middle Ages, to show that as salt enhances flavor, a wild story can be more digestible with a “pinch of salt.”
1. “Bite the Bullet”
Last but not least, on our origins of common sayings list is to “bite the bullet,” which ironically has a very literal meaning in the past. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, medical practices were still quite outdated, especially when it came to caring for soldiers. During that time, doctors would distract patients from their immense pain by having them bite down on a literal bullet since there was no anesthesia yet. Ouch.
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