The well of commonly used sayings and expressions is almost bottomless. From origins in the sports world, farming, medieval times, or the Bible, these enduring phrases can be puzzling, especially when the background story isn't fully known or understood.
Toe the Line
“Toe the line” — Meaning to conform to a preset standard or norm, this idiom comes from boxing. Prior to the adoption of the Queensberry rules for boxing in 1867, boxers would fight from a stationary position, placing their toes on a line drawn by the referee and remaining there until the end of the match.
Living Off the Fat of the Land
“Living off the fat of the land” – In the 1500s, the “fat” of something was considered to be the best or richest part. This saying, of biblical origins, means to live well with little effort or to enjoy an abundance of. The Old Testament story of Joseph is where this phrase first appears. Genesis 45:17-18 reads, “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.”
High on the Hog
“High on the hog” – To live high on the hog is to live in luxury and prosperity. An American saying appearing in the early 1900s this idiom is based on the idea that the better, more expensive cuts of pork are located higher up on a pig’s body.
Bury the Hatchet
“Bury the hatchet” — Meaning to make peace, this idiom comes from an old Native American custom in which the chiefs from warring tribes would bury their tomahawks signifying the end of hostilities between the tribes.
Don't Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” – Horses teeth continue to grow and move throughout their lifetime. A horse’s gum line also recedes with time. The age of a horse could be easily estimated by examining its teeth and gums. The connotation of this saying is to be grateful for gifts received regardless of the wear and tear on it. Very similar in meaning is the idiom “to be long in the tooth”.
Rack Your Brains
“Rack your brains” - This saying means to strain or stretch the memory to the point of anguish. The phrase has its root in the medieval torture device, the rack. The rack would pull and stretch the body to the point of tearing out the limbs. Popular in the 14th and 15th centuries, if ever something or someone fell under stress anything and everything could be said to be “racked”. Something being “nerve racking” is also of similar meaning.
Hair of the Dog
“Hair of the dog” – A shortened form of “a hair of the dog that bit you”, this colloquialism is today used refer to having a drink of liquor to cure a hangover. This saying stems from an old belief that a bite from a mad dog could be cured by placing a hair from that same dog's tail on the wound.
Come to a Head
"Come to a head" - A farming idiom, meaning to reach a point where action is required. Cabbage, lettuce and broccoli, among other vegetables, cannot be harvested until the full head is formed. This expression may also refer to waiting for a pustule to form in relation to an infection in the body.
Understanding Idioms and Sayings
Every generation adds its own flavor to language whether by continuing the usage of old sayings or developing new phrases and colloquialisms through slang. Knowing where certain phrases come from lends to furthering their usage.
Sources:
- “Origins”.Writing; Jan2006, Vol. 28 Issue 4
- Welch, Jack. ”Rooted in Reality”. Louisville Magazine; Dec2004, Vol. 55 Issue 12, p 80-80
Elvira Nieto - Elvira "Elvi" Nieto has had a life-long passion for writing both fiction and non-fiction alike. For two years, 2006-2007, she worked as ...
