The Surprising Origins of Everyday Phrases You Use Daily

Every day, we use phrases without giving much thought to where they come from. Yet, many common sayings have fascinating stories behind them, often rooted in history, culture, or unexpected events. Discovering these origins can change the way you see the words you say every day.

“Bite the Bullet” Comes From Battlefield Medicine

Before anesthesia was common, soldiers in battle had to endure painful surgeries. To help them cope, they were given a bullet to bite down on to distract from the pain and prevent them from screaming. The phrase now means to face a tough situation bravely.

“Raining Cats and Dogs” Has a Messy Beginning

This odd phrase for heavy rain likely originates from old England, where thatched roofs sometimes sheltered animals. During storms, heavy rain would wash dead animals off the roofs, making it seem like it literally rained cats and dogs.

“Kick the Bucket” Linked to Animal Slaughter

This phrase, meaning to die, may come from a method of slaughtering animals. A bucket was placed under a pig or other animals while they were being killed, and the struggling animal might kick the bucket as it died.

“Let the Cat Out of the Bag” Was a Market Trick

In medieval markets, farmers sold piglets in bags. Dishonest sellers sometimes replaced the pig with a less valuable cat. If the cat escaped, the scam was revealed—hence, letting the cat out of the bag means revealing a secret.

“Cut to the Chase” Originates in Silent Films

Early silent films often had long, slow scenes. The phrase means to skip to the exciting or important part, which was usually the chase scene. It’s a call to get directly to the point.

“Mad as a Hatter” Has a Toxic Backstory

Hat makers in the 18th and 19th centuries used mercury in their craft, which caused mercury poisoning. This led to symptoms like tremors and erratic behavior, giving rise to the phrase describing someone who is very eccentric or crazy.

“Chew the Fat” Comes From Navy Talk

Sailors used to chew on tough salt-cured fat while chatting during long voyages. The phrase now means having a casual, friendly conversation.

“Saved by the Bell” Isn’t Just About Boxing

While often linked to boxing matches, this phrase likely comes from graveyard safety coffins designed with bells. If someone was buried alive, ringing the bell would alert people to save them—meaning being rescued just in time.

“Under the Weather” Has Nautical Roots

Sailors feeling ill would be sent below deck, away from the harsh weather. Being “under the weather” came to mean feeling unwell or sick.

“Break the Ice” Comes From Old Shipping Practices

Ships would sometimes get stuck in frozen waters. Smaller ships were sent ahead to break the ice, allowing larger vessels to follow. The phrase now means to initiate social interaction and ease tension.