The dictionary defines idioms as “a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words”. In other words phrases such as ‘over the moon’. Many cultures have their own unique idioms. I have always been interested in the meaning and origins of many idioms as some make very little sense. I have compiled a list of five of my favourite idioms and their origins!
1. ‘To Butter Someone Up’
This idiom is believed to date back to ancient India, in particular the ancient Hindu temples in India. Hindu worshipers had a tradition in which they would through balls of butter or ‘ghee’ at statues of their Gods. By doing this they hoped to receive good fortune and peace from the Gods.
2.‘It Cost an Arm and a Leg’
There are many theories of where this originated. Firstly it was believed that when having a portrait painted of them, historical figures would have limbs not in the picture as this would cost more. Another theory is that the phrase originated during war times when soldiers could potentially lose limbs, meaning the war cost them an arm and a leg.
3. ‘A Penny for Your Thoughts’
This idiom originated in a book written in 1522 by Sir Thomas More called ‘Four Last Things’. In the book More states, in summary, when a wise person has fallen silent money is offered to garner their wisdom. The phrase went unnoticed until it was popularised after 1547 by a book written by playwright John Heywood.
4. ‘Let the Cat out of the Bag’
Some believe this idiom refers to sneaky businessmen who would sell wriggling piglets in bags. However, they would fill the bags with inexpensive cats and convince the buyer not to open the bag until they got home, thus letting a cat (instead of a pig) out of the bag. However, a more plausible origin points to the Navy in which a whip with nine knotted cotton cords was used to inflict damage on misbehaving sailors. The whip was called ‘the cat’ and was kept in a red bag. When a sailor didn’t perform their duties or when their behaviour got out of line, the captain would order they be beaten with the whip, thus having to take the cat out of the bag.
5. ‘Turn a Blind Eye’
This phrase is said to originate from Admiral Horatio Nelson. Nelson lost sight in one of his eyes during a battle. It is said that when looking through a telescope at directions from his superior during a battle he purposefully looked through it with his blind eye. Nelson disagreed with the orders of his superior to retreat and so turned a blind eye and continued fighting.
-C.J. Ryan, lead writer
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