Weird wordplay

Do you regularly use these 10 baffling idioms?

Image: Leeloo The First

We said it once and we’ll say it again: Idioms are definitively weird. And with how much the English language relies on these strange phrases, you’ll probably find yourself using idioms more often than you think, without taking the time to think how wishing someone to "break a leg" before a big show is not a not-so-veiled threat. In any case, let’s dive into the origins of some of the most baffling idioms out there, with the hope of trying to shed some light onto the inherent strangeness of these sayings. Enjoy!

Image: engin akyurt

Let’s start with a strangely uplifting one. What do you think of whenever you try to picture something cute? Well, in small, round fastening knobs, of course! The idiom "cute as a button" does not make a lot of sense when first heard: After all, we mindlessly clip buttons on dress shirts, pants, and coats without giving a second thought to their adorability. However, a point should be made that, when you think about it, buttons tend to be shiny, small, and round, which in truth tends to check a lot of the boxes of what lots of people consider cute.

Image: Tyler Quiring

Crows are definitively remarkable birds: Their shiny, black plumage and imposing presence can only be surpassed by their outstanding intelligence. However, we hope that any crow reading this doesn’t take offense when we say that they don’t really stand out as particularly tasty birds. In that regard, the idiom "to eat crow" does make some sense: We use this idiom to describe those times in which we have to admit our wrongs, no matter how hard they are to swallow. However, we do believe that any number of non-edible objects can be used instead of these majestic birds.

Image: ABHISHEK VISHWAKARMA

Want to tell someone how important they are to you? Well, you might want to compare them to the fruit that keeps doctors away. But wait, it gets better: Why not compare them to a metaphorical apple stuck in your cornea? Who wouldn’t blush after hearing this?

We should clarify that there’s some reasoning behind the idiom "the apple of my eye": Historians believe that it comes from Old English, when the word "apple" was synonymous with the pupil of the eye, which most of us will agree is a rather precious body part.

Image: Pedro Durigan

Being a boss or a manager is definitely not an easy task: It comes with the difficult responsibility of communicating with those you are in charge of that their work is sadly not up to scratch. In that sense, you might want to tell someone they don’t cut the mustard, although that might leave them utterly confused. No one is entirely sure where this idiom comes from, or when the idea of cutting this condiment became synonymous with excellence, but some believe that it comes from the expression "pass muster", which is a military phrase used when a soldier passes military inspection.

Image: Jason Tuinstra

This is one of the most fascinating idiom origins we could find. While at first glance the idiom "take it with a pinch of salt", which means to view something with skepticism, doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, it actually comes from an ancient Latin text from Pliny the Elder. In his Naturalis Historia, Pliny describes a supposed antidote to poison that includes two dried walnuts, two figs, and, of course, a pinch of salt: According to Pliny, whoever takes this mixture would be invulnerable to poison all day. In that sense, this perfectly reflects the meaning of this idiom: Taking dubious information with a pinch of salt would metaphorically prevent these falsehoods from "poisoning" you.

Image: Christopher Carson

Pigs definitively have it rough when it comes to idioms: "Eating like a pig" always makes us feel bad while something improbable will happen "whenever pigs fly". In that sense, "sweating like a pig" not only sounds awfully mean-spirited, but it is also factually inaccurate: Pigs famously don’t sweat and take luscious mud bads in order to cool themselves. So, next time you are thinking about using this phrase, please consider that you’ll only spread misinformation about one of the world’s favorite farm animals.

Image: Daniel Tuttle

This one is just downright baffling: When did the world’s most beloved pets become synonymous with bad weather? In case you didn’t know, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" is used to describe a particularly heavy rain, but linguists don’t really know where this idiom comes from. Some point to the Greek word Katadoupoi (which means "waterfall"), since it sounds vaguely familiar to the English idiom.

Image: Tommy Bond

While we don’t really approve of dogs being associated with any negative idiom, the truth is that the origin of the phrase "dog days" is remarkably interesting. Here’s the thing, this saying is used to describe hot and stuffy summer days, which some consider to be some of the most uncomfortable days in the Northern Hemisphere. This peculiar expression comes from Ancient Greece since these hot days were signified by the rising of the Sirius star system, colloquially known as the "Dog Star".

Image: Vika Glitter

You would think that the last thing that a theater friend of yours wants to hear before going on stage is a violent wish for broken bones, and yet, "break a leg" is one of the most commonly said phrases in the world of theater. While we can’t provide you with a definitive origin story of this idiom, many believe that it simply comes from a thespian superstition that states that one should say exactly the opposite of what they are wishing.

Image: Nick Stephenson

If we were to take this idiom at face value, no one would be able to have a slice of their own birthday cake. The idiom "You can't have your cake and eat it too" is used to describe a situation in which two or more favorable outcomes are impossible: In that sense, the titular cake cannot be owned and eaten at the same time. What feels particularly baffling about this idiom is that, when you think about it, having a cake won’t do you much good if you don’t eat it, so why would anyone choose the first option?

It’s game time!

Famous lines, unforgettable scenes: let’s see how many you remember!

Image: Shubham Sharan

Think you know your movies? Let’s put that memory to the test! Below, you’ll find a few of the most famous lines in film history. We’ll start by giving you the quote and a bit of the scene’s background, but not the title just yet. See how many you can guess before scrolling down to the answers. Ready? Grab your popcorn, and let’s play!

Image: Carlos N. Cuatzo Meza

A young dreamer shouts this at the top of his lungs while standing at the front of a massive ship, arms spread wide to the wind. In that moment, he feels untouchable, unaware of the tragedy that lies ahead. The scene became one of cinema’s most unforgettable moments of pure freedom and joy.

Image: Markus Winkler

This line erupts in a tense courtroom scene between two powerful figures. One demands honesty; the other snaps back with this furious shout that exposes pride, pressure, and the weight of authority. It’s one of those moments where every viewer holds their breath.

Image: Roberto Nickson

A tired young girl says this line with longing after a wild and colorful adventure far from her simple life. Clicking her heels together, she wishes for peace, comfort, and the people she loves most. The quote has since come to symbolize safety and nostalgia for generations.

Image: Roman Kraft

Delivered in a smoky café between two people whose love story couldn’t quite work out, this line drips with charm and heartbreak. It’s a farewell that says more than a dozen love letters ever could. You can almost hear the piano playing in the background.

Image: Egor Lyfar

Spoken by a kind, simple man sitting on a bench with a box of sweets, this line sums up the unpredictability of life in the sweetest way possible. It’s folksy wisdom wrapped in innocence, and it has been quoted everywhere from classrooms to weddings.

Image: Teresa Collins

Spoken by a wise and calm mentor, this line has echoed through generations of moviegoers. It’s said before a daring mission to inspire hope and courage in the face of impossible odds. The quote has since become a worldwide catchphrase for fans of sci-fi and adventure alike.

Now for the answers! Did you guess them all right?

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Jack Dawson, yells this line in joy as the Titanic sails toward its fate. The film swept audiences off their feet with its mix of romance and tragedy, becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of all time.

Image: Sasun Bughdaryan

Jack Nicholson’s Colonel Jessup shouts this line during a heated courtroom exchange with Tom Cruise’s character, Lieutenant Kaffee. It’s a fierce outburst that reveals the dark side of military power and loyalty. The scene is movie history at its finest.

Image: Hulki Okan Tabak

Judy Garland’s Dorothy delivers this line as she returns from her whirlwind trip through Oz. After all her adventures, she realizes that nothing compares to the comfort of family and home. It’s one of Hollywood’s most enduring lessons.

Casablanca (1942)

Image: VENUS MAJOR

Humphrey Bogart’s Rick says this bittersweet line to Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa in one of cinema’s most iconic farewells. The film’s mix of romance, sacrifice, and wartime intrigue still resonates more than eight decades later.

Image: Yosuke Ota

Tom Hanks’s gentle drawl turned this line into history. Sitting at a bus stop, Forrest reflects on the ups and downs of life and shows that even a simple soul can carry great wisdom (and a little bit of a sweet tooth, why not?). The film won six Oscars and countless hearts.

Image: Artur Tumasjan

Said by several characters throughout the saga, this phrase became the heart of the Star Wars universe. It’s a blessing for courage and hope, first uttered by Rebel leaders as they faced the Empire. George Lucas’s space epic redefined science fiction forever.