Where do these popular sayings come from?
We will file this one under the “I didn’t wake up knowing I wanted to learn this random information, but I’m sure glad I did” tab. Because we can’t talk about food and fitness every single day, can we? Nope.
True story: This post is inspired by my Mom. Knowing that I’ve been a little busy lately and needed some help coming up with ideas for posts in preparation for my vacation, she took it upon herself to start the research on this and send it to me. And I mean, how could I not share this information with you today?
Without further ado, let’s talk about the origins of a few old sayings or idioms that you’ve heard over and over again and may even be using in your everyday speech. But first, let’s define a couple of things …
- Idiom is a set figure of speech with a figurative or literal meaning, which is what these phrases are below.
- Etymology is the study of how words or phrases began and how they have changed throughout history, which is what I researched to get the backstories.
There are many stories behind the most popular sayings
PLEASE NOTE: When I looked around online to do some more research on these phrases, nearly all of them said that these origins were “believed or assumed,” and there were oftentimes more than one story or claim. So no, this is not a hard-facts encyclopedia definition. It’s just fun. Enjoy, and take it all with a grain of salt (one of the popular phrases you’ll see below!).
“Raining cats and dogs” … meaning heavy rainfall.
These definitions are completely unproven, but it’s been said that during the 16th century, houses were made with thatched or hay roofs, and dogs and cats would climb up onto the roofs and sleep among the thatches, because it was a warm spot to hide. Well don’t you know it, when it rained, those animals would at times be washed out and fall off the house. Thus, a heavy rainstorm, means it’s raining cats and dogs. However, a secondary origin could be the fact that in 17th century Europe, sanitation was just awful, and during heavy rainstorms, dead animal corpses would some how end up being washed down the streets. Totally gross. Either way, I don’t like these origins at all, but I do like the phrase. And boy do we need rain here in California right now.
“Heard it through the grapevine” … meaning getting information via unofficial gossip.
A popular song lyric from the 1960s may be what you know of this phrase, but it’s also got a couple of supposed origins. First of all, in the 19th century, when telegraph lines were being constructed, they hung on poles or even trees across mountains and land, much like you would see grapes hanging on. There was also a “grapevine telegraph,” which was more of a community-to-community version of the better and more reliable electric telegraph. Sometimes information transmitted via the grapevine telegraph was distorted or messed up upon arrival, thus people would have to say that what they were reporting was “heard through the grapevine.” Not sure about this one, but it seems to make sense. And the song lyrics make me think of the California Raisin. Anyone else?
“Take with a grain of salt” … meaning to accept something, but be a bit skeptical of it.
Much like this entire post, sometimes you don’t have to fully believe everything you’re told (especially if you heard it through the grapevine?). Once again, not really a full history of the origin of this one, but most sources seem to say that in Ancient Rome, someone called Pliny the Elder, discovered a natural antidote to poison, which included a grain or pinch of salt. So perhaps that version would mean if you give someone bad news, then the salt will lessen the blow and protect you from being fully poisoned. Another origin said that if you think about the weight of a grain of salt, it doesn’t add much to a scale, so adding a grain of salt shouldn’t sway you one way or the other. I guess I could understand both. But of course, I’d like to think this phrase is totally food-related, but maybe it’s not.
“In the nick of time” … meaning doing something at the final moment.
It seems like this one is somehow from the sports world. Back in the 19th century, commercial transactions and scores in sporting events were tracked with tally marks on a nick-stick. A nick was a thin, narrow and precise measurement, and you would “nick down” to make a mark. Somehow that morphed into getting something done at a precise or right moment, thus in the “nick” of time. This one makes total sense, so I hope that it’s true. And yes, I often get things done in the “nick” of time, but it’s a stressful way to live. Am I right? That’s why I’m already packed for my Hawaii trip, three days before lift-off.
So there you go. There were so many more idioms and sayings that I wanted to research and share, but I figured four should do for now. I actually like the fact that none of these phrases had an exact or verified origin, which makes this etymology stuff all that much more fun. And hey, now that you’re armed with new and unsubstantiated knowledge, you’re ready to take on the day!
Fact or fiction? Check out the history of these popular sayings you may be using ... Click To TweetQuestions of the day
What’s your favorite saying or idiom?
What’s one saying that you hate to hear?
I just love when you do posts like these (and your grammar posts!!). I think I’m in the wrong profession and should have been an English teacher 🙂 I have a lot of sayings I hate to hear, but one of them is definitely “cool beans.” I cringe.
Ohhhh hahah Amy, cool beans is SO funny. Because it’s so NOT cool. I haven’t heard that one in a while. Maybe I’ll try to slip it into conversation today? Glad you liked this post!
It was so nice of your mom to help you out with a post! I always Google phrases to figure out what they actually mean prior to including them in a post. I’m terrified I’ll use something that’s completely inappropriate, haha!
I know, Becky! You never know what you’re using and if it could even offend someone if used wrong. My Mom was all about this idea, so I’m glad the post came to fruition. 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
Haha- I actually love this post!
I hate the term ‘hunker down.’
Hi Jen! You and me both! I went through a hurricane in Florida many years ago, so I heard “hunker down” far too many times. hahah! Have a great day, lady! Hope there’s no need to hunker.
Last year I had to teach idioms to 2nd graders, and let’s just say it was very difficult! There are so many out there, and honestly, why do we keep saying them, haha! These are funny, though. Thanks to your momma for the idea 🙂
Hi Heather! I know, there are tons. I could have gone on and on. And yes, I bet it’s hard to teach things without concrete meanings to little kids! I’d love to see how that went hehe!
These are fascinating! That one about salt I can almost not believe. Good to know in case someone tries to poison me.
Seriously, Megan! Like one of your doctors who you can’t quite rely on … heheheh! 🙂 Be careful out there!
Haha, fun post! My cousin chip was named so because he was a “Chip off the Old Block.” And, coming from the south, you know that I have a littany of great sayings up my sleeve!
Ohhhh yes, Susie! Chip! Love it!! And yes, I also like “bless your heart” as a good Southern phrase! 🙂
Haha, I like this post! It is funny when you actually think about these random phrases we say with no thought. Ha!
I know Marielle … I wonder if any of our social media terms from today will become “old sayings” in the future?? hahahha!
I love this! It’s always interesting to find origins of sayings. Thanks for sharing this fun post! I really like it when you do some non-fitness related stuff so keep it up!!
Ohhh thanks, Gretchen! You never know if people will care, but I sure do. I’m glad you enjoyed the idioms. Happy Tuesday, lady! 🙂
Your mom is adorable. This was a fun read! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this one, Heather. 🙂 My Mom is full of ideas! Happy Tuesday!
Least favorite = “If it was easy, everyone would do it”
Favorite = “It’s the cats pajama’s” because it makes me smile 🙂
What does the cat’s pajamas even mean? hahah that makes me smile too, Jamie. Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Ugh – totally with you on “if it was easy…” – thus I’ve replaced it with, “it’s better to be busy than bored.” I figure it hit close to the same intent, right?
Definitely, I think that’s a good chance, Jessica! 🙂
My favorite was one my Mom used to say. Bee’s knees. My Mom had many good ones including grain of salt because we were raised never to believe others or what you read. I loved it thanks for a fun post, great job Mom!
Hi Lexie! Oh good! So glad you enjoyed this. And I LOVE the bee’s knees … but I have no idea where that one came from. Better do some Googling hehehe
This is so fun! My family plays a game on road trips sometimes where we take turns thinking of expressions like these that involve animals, or food, or places. It’s amazing how many random expressions there are, and fascinating to think of the origin!
Oh you could totally make this into the alphabet game and think of an expression per letter. Thanks for the idea, Kelly! I love roadtrip games hehehe. Happy Tuesday, lady!
I love learning the meaning behind words and sayings. It’s interesting how sometimes a word or saying started out with one meaning, and changes over time.
Things always seem to evolve over time, Ange! I can’t wait to see what social media terms are carried on throughout the years. Thanks for sharing this one! 🙂
What a fun post! I don’t know if I have a favorite saying…though I will frequently say “Bless Your Heart” to my girlfriends because we’re from the South and it usually causes a flurry of giggles!
Oh yes, Doc. That’s a good one! Very Southern, and one I hear a lot at home in Florida. 🙂 Not so much here in the Bay Area…
My grandmother had a saying for everything. One of her favorites was, every fault is a fashion.
Hi Susan! Really? I like that, but I don’t quite know what it even means. I’ll Google it. hhahaa Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I have always loved “Add insult to injury”. I used to love to teach Idioms back when I was an English teacher. It was always a fun lesson. What a fun post Ashley!
Hi Heather! Yes, I like that one too. How cool you used to teach idioms. I bet you’ve got a ton more to share! 🙂
I do love using, “just in the nick of time.” More because it sound old school to me than any other reason, ha.
Favorite: “That’s rowdy” – not a traditional saying, but I say it all the time
Least favorite (noticed it primarily in business): “Let’s noodle on this…” Ugh.
Such a fun post. Thanks for spreading the knowledge. 🙂
Hahhahah! I totally used to have a boss that said “let’s noodle on this.” A very dorky saying, but funny, nonetheless. Thanks, Jessica! 🙂
Fun post! And yes to the California Raisin 😀
Hahhaha, so glad you caught that reference, Breanne! Makes my day! 🙂 Happy Tuesday!