MYSTERIES OF VOCABULARY

Ever Wonder What Biting the Bullet Means? 10 Unusual Idioms Explained

Image: Joshua Hoehne

Does the English language have more idioms than any other language in the world? Probably not, but it surely feels like it, doesn’t it? Just take a closer look at the many odd phrases we say regularly: Isn’t it weird that we can tell a friend that we "know chalk from cheese" and they don’t even bat an eye?

Have you ever wondered how these peculiar expressions came to be? Don’t worry, we got you covered! We have looked into the origins of these ten weird idioms you probably use on a daily basis. Ever wondered how pulling someone’s leg evolved to mean teasing? Keep on reading and find out!

Image: Lucas van Oort

We’ll start with one of the most baffling ones. How could an activity as silly as kicking a bucket mean something as ominous as passing away? We get it, death is an uncomfortable business, and maybe this helps make an extremely heavy subject a little more bearable: After all, there are many silly-sounding idioms regarding death, including "pushing daisies" and "biting the dust". Regardless, the mystery of why "kicking the bucket" came to signify death remains.

Well, the truth is that no one really knows for sure. There are several theories around this, but the one that seems to be most acceptable refers to the Catholic custom of blessing people on their deathbeds with holy water. Some suggest that buckets carrying holy water were placed at the end of the beds of those about to depart, which might have been kicked in their last struggles.

Image: Atikah Akhtar

This one seems straight out of a Sherlock Holmes book. Picture this: Our favorite detective lights up his iconic pipe and proclaims "Elementary, my dear Watson: all the proof we need to solve this intricate case can be found inside this soft sweet treat". In any case, this expression is commonly used to describe something that can only be proved by trying.

What’s interesting about this idiom is the fact that it is actually an abridged version of an older and longer expression: First recorded in the 17th century, the predecessor to the idiom we know and love is "the proof of the pudding is in the tasting".

Image: Andrey Metelev

Believe it or not, this idiom comes directly from the world of journalism. In the newspaper business, the term "lede" is used to describe the introductory segment of an article, which is usually used to entice a reader to keep on reading. In that sense, the idiom "to bury the lede" refers to hiding the most significant pieces with other distracting information.

You might be wondering why the word "lede" is spelled in such an unconventional manner. Lede comes from "lead", another fairly common word in journalism. It is believed that, to distinguish these two homographs, the newspaper business agreed to adopt these different spellings.

Image: Peter Fogden

We could probably write an entire article on how many idioms relate to horses, but this one is just perplexing. "Straight from the horse’s mouth" is an idiom that means a piece of information that comes directly from the most reliable source. Don’t you find this extremely weird? Why is the mouth of this large mammal synonymous with a dependable and trustworthy informant?

The answer is rather amusing. In the world of horse racing, people would search for tips on possible winners before posting their bets. In that sense, the people closest to the horses like trainers or stable lads were considered the most trustworthy sources. Therefore, this idiom describes that this information comes from someone who is literally standing right next to the horse.

Image: Ben Wogl

As any cat owner will tell you, these little bundles of joy will crawl, climb, and jump into anything they find. From a cardboard box to a particularly snuggly pair of boots, cats make resting in weird places their national sport. With that in mind, the phrase "let the cat out of the bag" seems like a no-brainer: Countless cats have found their way into countless bags throughout our shared history. However, you might be surprised to learn the slightly shady origins behind this idiom.

In the Middle Ages, a fairly common trick involved replacing a sold piglet with a cat before handing the animal to a customer. Since the deceived customer wouldn’t open their canvas bag before reaching their home, the similar weights of the animals would fool them for enough time for the trickster to pack shop and leave that market. Therefore, "letting the cat out of the bag" would provide enough evidence to confront the seller.

Image: Lucrezia Carnelos

Pulling someone’s leg doesn’t seem particularly funny and yet this idiom is now synonymous with mildly fooling someone as a joke. However, while the origins of this idiom are still debatable, the two contending theories are definitively not as lighthearted as the meaning of this idiom is.

Both theories relate to the streets of Victorian London. The first one suggests that the origins of this idiom come from a practice robbers would employ, where they would pull on people’s legs and rob them after they tripped. The other theory is slightly more grim: It refers to a practice executioners would conduct on convicted criminals, hanging onto their legs to grant them a quicker death.

Image: Josh Appel

As far as we know, limbs are not an acceptable currency in any country, and yet this idiom describes something that is extremely expensive. Thanks to our previous entry on "pulling someone’s leg", you might be inclined to think that the origins of this idiom are particularly ghastly, but don’t worry: We promise that no literal amputation is behind the meaning of this phrase.

Many erroneously believe that this idiom comes from the world of portraits, in which artists would charge extra for including the limbs of their patrons in the painting. However, since there’s no evidence to support this theory, most historians are inclined to believe that it is actually derived from other popular expressions like "I would give my right arm to…" or "Even if it takes a leg".

Image: Ray Aucott

If this idiom is to be believed, taking someone’s goat is a surefire way to make someone insanely angry. And, to be honest, this seems only logical: Who can stand idle after seeing someone take their precious bleating animal away? All kidding aside, what’s fascinating about this idiom is that no one is particularly certain about its origins, and the only explanation we have is yet to be proved.

A popular story about the origins of this idiom describes a practice in which goats were placed in front of particularly rowdy racehorses to calm them down: Therefore, taking one of these goats would understandably make the horse furious. However, there’s no hard evidence backing this theory.

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"Biting the bullet" is an expression that describes showing fortitude and courage in the face of hardship. Just like with "get someone’s goat", we can’t really offer a definitive explanation regarding the origins of this idiom. However, a widespread story may offer us an explanation regarding the inception of this phrase.

According to this theory, before the advent of anesthetics, soldiers were given bullets to bite on during particularly painful medical procedures. This story does have some holes, though: Early forms of painkillers were available during the 19th century, the time period in which this idiom is said to have emerged. However, for now, this story offers the most reliable explanation we could find.

Image: Sorin Gheorghita

We’ll end this article with the entry we find the most baffling. The meaning of this idiom is to flatter someone, especially if there is a hidden motive behind this praise. Bearing that in mind, maybe you’ll want to join us in our disbelief of how the action of covering someone in this greasy milk product could possibly help anyone gain their approval.

Well, the answer is rather interesting. Most linguists believe that the origins of this phrase can be traced to an Ancient Indian custom, in which throwing balls of ghee (a type of Indian butter) at the statues of the gods could earn believers their favor.

FUNNY WORDS WITH REAL MEANINGS

Bang! Let's Make Some Noise With These 12 Onomatopoeias

Image: Ryan Wallace

A language as elastic and adaptive as English allows for words that describe anything you can think of. And, in that regard, onomatopoeias stand out as vibrant threads that weave together the sound and vision of our daily communication.

These words echo the sounds they represent, adding a symphony of sensory richness to our spoken and written expressions. From the resounding "crash" of a breaking wave to the gentle "whisper" of the wind, onomatopoeias bridge the gap between language and experience. How many of the following twelve words do you use every day?

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The dynamic energy of liquid meeting resistance is perfectly encapsulated in the word "splash." Whether it's the rhythmic splashes of raindrops against a window pane or the exuberant splash of a diver entering a pool, this onomatopoeia captures the very spirit of fluidity and movement.

As a linguistic artifact, "splash" beautifully illustrates how onomatopoeias serve as a way of snapshots, freezing a moment in time and sound, allowing us to recreate the sensory image in our minds.

Image: Moritz Mentges

A word that is royalty amongst onomatopoeias, "bang" emerges as a linguistic explosion, encapsulating the abrupt release of energy and the resounding aftermath. Tracing its roots back to the mid-16th century, the word finds its origin in the Old Norse banga and the Middle Low German bangen, both conveying the sense of striking or hammering.

As language evolved, "bang" assumed a versatile role, capturing the sharp sound of gunfire, an unexpected collision, or the slamming of a door. Its short, impactful nature reflects the very essence of its meaning—an auditory representation of force and suddenness.

Image: Isabel Vitrup-Pallier

"Bark" carries us into the heart of the natural world, echoing the distinctive sound produced by dogs and other canines. Originating from the Old English word berken, meaning "to bark," this term not only mirrors the vocalization of our loyal companions but also describes the universal form of canine communication.

The onomatopoeia "bark" defines the sharp, often rhythmic vocalization of dogs, ranging from a friendly greeting to an alert warning. It stands as a testament to the onomatopoeic magic that allows us to hear a sound when we read it.

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

The onomatopoeia "hiss" draws us into the realm of serpent-like sounds and angry cats, echoing the distinct noise produced by the expulsion of air through a narrow opening. Originating from the Danish term hysse, and with ties to imitative words across various languages, "hiss" expresses the sharp sound associated with a snake or a pressurized release.

This term goes beyond the reptilian realm, being used in expressing disapproval, anger, or even the audible escape of steam. As an onomatopoeia, "hiss" is a great example of the power of language to capture the essence of sound.

Image: Edrin Spahiu

"Clang" resounds with the unmistakable reverberation of metal striking metal, capturing the sharp, metallic noise that accompanies collisions or impacts. The word is rooted in the Latin clangere meaning "resound or ring."

Whether echoing in the clang of swords in battle or the industrial noise of machinery, this onomatopoeia defines the essence of sharp, metallic sounds. "Clang" allows us to hear and mentally recreate the striking collision of metal objects.

Image: Michael Jin

An expressive word to describe a collision or a sudden and impactful meeting of forces that resounds through the air, "crash" is derived from the Middle English word crasshen, meaning to break in pieces.

With roots echoing across languages, it has become a universal term, capturing the cacophony of breaking glass, colliding vehicles, or the collapse of structures. Beyond its etymological origins, "crash" works as a linguistic snapshot, freezing in time the noisy and often unsettling nature of collisions.

Image: Bianca Ackerman

The onomatopoeia "buzz" puts us into the vibrant realm of incessant, humming vibrations, echoing the sound of bees or other insects in constant motion.

"Buzz" is a word that not only defines the collective hum of a swarm but also extends its resonance to the background noise of modern life, from the gentle whirring of electronic devices to the bustling ambiance of a crowded space.

Image: Gauravdeep Singh Bansal

The onomatopoeia "chirp" captures the cheerful and rhythmic sounds produced by small birds. Coming from the Middle English term chirken which means "to make a sharp sound," "chirp" expresses the delightful twittering often associated with feathered companions.

While many birdsongs don’t sound like a "chirp," the word is mostly used to describe the singing of small birds and, as such, it is a widely applied verb.

Image: Elyas Pasban

A "clattering" sound is the noise produced by chaos. It is a mixture of discordant sounds, encapsulating the collision and commotion of objects striking one another. Rooted in the Middle English word clatrian, meaning "to make a loud noise," "clatter" evokes a universal auditory experience, even if it's not a very pleasant one for most people.

This term captures the cacophony of falling utensils, the rattle of machinery, or the general noise of a lively environment. As an onomatopoeia, "clatter" allows us to audibly sense the disorder inherent in the collision of elements.

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A far more discrete sound than the previous one, the onomatopoeia "click" invites us into the realm of precision, describing the sharp, short sound of two objects coming together.

Emerging from the Dutch word klikken, meaning "to make a weak, sharp sound," "click" imitates the sound of an object being gently tapped. Besides this, the term transcends its initial mechanical connotations, now serving as a descriptor for a multitude of actions, from the deliberate press of a keyboard key to the subtle closure of a door latch.

Image: Alison Bogart

"Gulp" immerses us in the visceral and audible act of swallowing, capturing the unmistakable sound associated with the rapid intake of breath or a substantial drink. Rooted in the Dutch word gulpen, meaning to swallow greedily, "gulp" is an apt descriptor of the abrupt and resonant noise produced when one consumes a large quantity of liquid or food.

This term's evocative nature is a universal expression for both the physical act of swallowing and, also, the associated sense of surprise, anxiety, or anticipation.

Image: Samuel Regan-Asante

We close this list with a word that does a great job phonetically describing the action that it implies. "Clap" resonates with the percussive sound of hands coming together, capturing the rhythmic and celebratory act of applause.

Originating from the Old English clæppan, which means "to throb or beat" this term embodies a universal expression of approval, joy, or appreciation. So, give yourself a round of applause for making it to the end of the list, and think about what other onomatopoeias you use in your daily life.