What is the origin of "bite the bullet"?

The phrase "bite the bullet" comes from 19th-century battlefield medicine when soldiers bit down on a bullet during painful surgeries done without anesthesia.

Where does "saved by bell" really come from?

It originates from boxing. A nearly defeated fighter could be "saved" when the bell rang to ned the round and stopping the count.

Did people really put bells on coffins?

Yes, safety coffins did exist, but the phrase "saved by the bell" is unrelated. the idiom comes strictly from boxing.

What does "letting the cat out of the bag" mean?

It refers to medieval market scams where a merchant would sell a bagged piglet but secretly replace it with a cat. Opening the bag revealed the scam.

19 Amazing Facts about the Origins of Everyday Sayings

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published December 1, 2025

We use idioms all the time, but behind those everyday sayings are ancient rituals, bizarre historical practices, questionable medical practices, and naval battles. Here are some of the interesting (and sometimes shocking) origins of expressions you probably use without thinking.

Bite the Bullet
The phrase "Bite the bullet" is from the 1800s when soldiers would bite a bullet during surgery to cope with the pain. The practice was crude, but it helped keep them still during operations mid-battlefield._[7]
Saved by the Bell
While many people believe the phrase "saved by the bell" refers to bells that were placed in a coffin to prevent premature burial, it actually refers to boxing. A boxer could be saved from a knockout when the end bell rang._[10]
Let the Cat Out of the Bag
The phrase "let the cat out of the bag" refers to the medieval practice of selling piglets in a bag. However, dishonest traders would swap piglets with a cat, and if someone opened the bag, the scam was exposed._[7]

where did the phrase its raining cats and dogs

Another alternative is that it comes from the Norse myth where dogs and wolves symbolized wind and cats were associated with heavy rain

It's Raining Cats and Dogs
The phrase "cats and dogs" is from the 18th-century England when heavy rains sometimes washed dead animals from roofs and streets, which created the perception that animals were falling from the sky._[7]
Caught Red-Handed
In 15th-century Scotland, if a person was caught with blood on their hands, or "red handed," they could be convicted._[7]
Turn a Blind Eye
The phrase "turn a blind eye" comes from Admiral Horatio Nelson who was blind in one eye. During battle, he purposely ignored a signal to retreat by putting a telescope to his blind eye._[8]
Butter Someone Up
In ancient India, people would throw balls of butter at statues of gods to flatter and appease them, which led to the phrase "butter someone up."_[7]
Bite the Dust
The idiom "bite the dust" comes from Samuel Butler's 19th-century translation of Homer's Illiad, which says "full many of his comrades may bite the dust as they fall dying around him."_[1]
Bury the Hatchet
The phrase "bury the hatchet" comes from the Native American peace ritual in which tribes would bury weapons to symbolize the end of a conflict._[7]
Steal Someone's Thunder
John Dennis, the 17th-century playwright, coined the phrase "steal someone's thunder" when he thought that other playwrights had stolen his sound effect for thunder._[6]

Mercury poisoning of hat makers resulted in slurred speech, tremors, stumbling, and hallucinations

Mad as a Hatter
In the 18th and 19th centuries, hat makers would make felt hats with mercury. This toxicity caused tremors and insanity, which led to the phrase, "mad as a hatter."_[9]
On the Rack
The phrase "on the rack," or feeling under pressure, refers to the medieval torture device that stretches a victim's body until their joints dislocate._[1]
Spill the Beans
Ancient Greeks voted with beans. If the voting jar tipped over accidentally, it revealed the results prematurely, literally "spilling the beans."_[1]
Hands Down
The phrase "hands down" means easily won without challenge and originates from 19th-century horse racing. When a jockey would gain a huge lead, he could drop his hands and relax and still win, hence "hands down."_[1]
Rule of Thumb
Popular myth claims that this phrase comes from an English law allowing a man to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. However, historians say this is false, and they note that the idiom most likely referred to a measurement done by thumb width, which is still a fascinating example of how myths shape language._[10]
Cold Turkey
The phrase for quitting abruptly may come from the goosebumps and pale skin seen during drug withdrawal, which resembled the skin of a cold, plucked turkey._[5]

A white elephant is a possession that its owner cannot dispose of without great difficulty

White Elephants
The term "white elephant" originated in Thailand where elephants are revered as sacred creatures. According to legend, if a rival irritated the king, he would gift them with a white elephant. While the white elephant was sacred, it was enormously difficult to take care of, and would drive the recipient into financial ruin._[2]
Break the Ice
Historically, when trading ships would get stuck in frozen harbors, smaller boats called "icebreakers" were sent to clear a path. This is like people who "break the ice" to start conversations._[3]
Close but No Cigar
Carnival games in the early 20th century often gave cigars as prizes. When a player nearly won but fell short, the operator would shout "Close, but no cigar!"_[4]