The
Surprising Origins of Common English Phrases
The English language is full of phrases and idioms that we use on a daily basis without ever stopping to think about their origins. From the phrases we use to describe food to those describing our emotions, many of these expressions have interesting stories behind them. Here are just a few examples of the surprising and often quirky histories of common English phrases.
"Piece of cake"
When someone says that something is a "piece of cake," they mean that it's easy. The origin of this phrase goes back to the late 19th century when cakes were often given out as prizes at fairs in the United States. Winning a cake was seen as an easy and enjoyable accomplishment, thus the phrase "piece of cake" began to be used to describe an easy task.
"Pulling your leg"
If someone accuses you of "pulling their leg," they mean you're playing a prank or tricking them. The origins of this expression aren't entirely clear, but one theory is that it comes from thieves tripping people up in order to rob them. In this scenario, a thief might hold someone's attention by pretending to befriend them, while another thief sneaks up behind and pulls their leg, causing them to fall and allowing the thieves to steal from them.
"Bite the bullet"
To "bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or difficult situation. This phrase originates from a time when soldiers were given bullets to bite on during battlefield surgery to help manage the pain. The practice was common during the American Civil War and was sometimes used as a form of anesthesia during surgical amputations.
"Raining cats and dogs"
When it's raining heavily, we might say that it's "raining cats and dogs." This expression is often thought to have come from the idea that during heavy rainstorms, cats and dogs would take refuge in thatched roofs and then fall through when the weight of the rain became too much. However, this origin is largely a myth. The true origins of the phrase are unknown, but it likely comes from a similar expression in old Norse which described heavy rain as "raining big dogs."
"Mind your P's and Q's"
If someone tells you to "mind your P's and Q's," they're reminding you to be on your best behavior or to watch what you say. This phrase comes from medieval England when pubs would keep track of how many pints and quarts of beer were consumed by each customer. If someone consumed too much, they could easily lose track of their pints and quarts and get into trouble. Pub owners would remind their patrons to "mind their P's and Q's" to avoid confusion and dispute.
These phrases are just a small sample of the many curious expressions and idioms that make up the English language. Next time you hear someone say one of these phrases, you can impress them with your newfound knowledge of their origins.
