Are there phrases or sayings that you say on a daily basis that sound odd if you actually stop to think about them? Do you ever wonder where they came from? We uncover some of the origins of some popular phrases and sayings so you can sound smart in front of your friends.
When you say you let the cat out of the bag, you meant you spilled someone’s secret. The origin of this one was from the 18th century. Pigs were often sold in bags, but criminals would replace a pig with a cat.
If someone is teasing you, it is often referred to as pulling your leg. This one also relates to the criminals in the 18th century. They would pull victims by their legs to easily rob them.
The popular theater term, break a leg, actually did originate in the theater. Theater actors are very superstitious and wishing someone good luck is considered bad luck in their eyes. So, they started wishing ill on each other to actually bring about good luck.
At the carnival, they used to give cigars as prizes. So, it was actually literal when you almost won, they would say, “close, but no cigar”.
A real blue moon is rare, so naturally, it would mean something that doesn’t happen very often.
In the 17th century, when you went to a bar you could get beer in a pint or a quart. If someone was getting drunk and rowdy, the bartender might tell them to mind their Ps and Qs. Now it relates to everyone’s manners, whether they are drunk or not.
Did you know the true origin of some of these popular sayings? If you liked this article, please SHARE it with a friend!
Unknown to fans, Rock ‘n’ Roll king Elvis Presley had an incognito car he used…
During a recent family vacation, actress Demi Moore made jaws drop with her bikini body…
UPDATED 5/2/2024 Pretty much everything about the 1960s was about change: music (The Beatles), movies…
Michael Richards made his first red carpet appearance for the first time in eight years…
Ever since the announcement of Betty White's passing at the age of 99 in 2021,…
Schools in Australia may see big changes after parents have brought up traditional discipline, which…