Ever say a common phrase and then pause to wonder, "where did that come from, anyway?" Here are some interesting stories about things we might say every day.
"Rule of Thumb"
Legend has it that a bully of a judge back in the 17th century gave the go-ahead for husbands to beat their wives using a stick--as long as the stick was no wider than a thumb. Okay, so in truth, the phrase probably just came into being because carpenters and tailors measured things in thumb-lenghts. But that's not nearly as interesting as the first story.
"Basket Case"
Soldiers who lost all their limbs in a war would have to be carried around in a basket, right? Yeah, that's kind of gruesome, and there is no way of telling if that's where this phrase actually came from. Ugh.
"Bust Your Chops"
Mutton chops. Punched in the face. Chops busted, right? Uh...maybe. Whoever thought mutton chops looked cool, anyway?
"Butter You Up"
Apparently back in the way way back days of India, people threw balls of butter at statues of gods. They did this to seek favor. I can think of much better uses for butter.
"Humble Pie"
In the Middle Ages, when a lord held a feast, he of course got the best cut of meat. The not-so-privileged folks received a pie filled with the innards and entrails, or the "umbles." Yum...
"Saved by the Bell"
People used to be buried in coffins connected to a bell. Thus, if a not-dead person woke up underground, he could ring the bell and and call someone to the rescue.
"Go the Whole 9 Yards"
During World War II, a 9-yard chain of ammunition went to each fighter pilot. When a pilot used the entire chain, therefore, he went "the whole 9 yards."
Of course, it's not very likely that all these things are true--there are oodles of different theories on where the phrase "raining cats and dogs" came from. Still, next time you're saved by the bell or have to eat humble pie, you'll have something new to think about.
Sources:
http://www.cracked.com/article_16108_the-bizarre-history-10-common-sayings.html
http://list25.com/25-common-sayings-and-where-they-came-from/
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