Rich language

What does "going Dutch" mean, and more importantly: why?

Image: Fabian Blank

For a lot of people, money is still a taboo topic, but the truth is that it comes up in everyday conversations all the time. For this reason, there's no shortage of money-related sayings, phrases, and idioms. You probably have heard someone talking about their "nest egg," or maybe there was a time when you had to "tighten your belt." If you want to learn the origins and meanings of these 10 fun expressions about money, read on!

Image: Geoffrey Crofte

"I got my paycheck today, and it's already burning a hole in my pocket."

We could divide most people into two groups: On one side, those who know how to save, look for discounts, keep track of their finances correctly, and carefully plan every expense. On the other, the "wild ones," those who don't know what they've spent their money on or have a tendency to spend impulsively.

If you feel that money just disappears fast as soon as you get it, you may belong to the second group. In that case, there's a phrase that fits well in that context. When someone says that money "burns a hole in their pocket," they simply mean they can't wait to spend it. And let's be honest; there's nothing like bringing home that shirt you fell in love with at the store, right?

Image: Chris Liverani

"She will leave the company with a generous golden handshake at the end of the year."

For some people, talking about money without beating around the bush can be quite shocking, especially when large sums are involved. That's why language provides us with many metaphors and aphorisms, and one of them is the famous "golden handshake."

If you have been lucky enough to be part of one, you know what we're talking about. This expression emerged in the mid-20th century and became increasingly famous with the advancement of big business. In the corporate world, a "golden handshake" describes an agreement (the "handshake" part) between members of a company, through which one receives a large amount of money (the "golden" involved). It's often used to refer to big severance pay or retirement compensation.

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"After we bought the house, we had to tighten our belts for a period."

While it's true that many of us long for a slim waistline, when it comes to money, "tightening the belt" is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, this expression is used for talking about tough financial times, those moments when you need to cut back on expenses and make some adjustments, even if it means your pants end up a little looser.

It's believed that the idiom became popular in the US during the harsh 1930s due to the difficulties of the Great Depression.

Image: Bere Del Valle

"They cut corners by hiring less staff to save money, which resulted in longer wait times."

While shortcuts can be helpful at times, wise people say that taking the longer path teaches us important lessons and leads to better outcomes.

The expression "cutting corners" emerged in the 19th century to express precisely that: Creating a straight path through corners to make the route shorter and faster. Over time, the phrase has expanded its use to more metaphorical forms and usually contains a negative undertone. You know, taking shortcuts can sometimes end up taking more time and effort.

In the world of finance, it's common to hear that a company decided to cut corners by making less effort or using cheaper materials with the intention of making quick money.

Image: Annie Spratt

"Thankfully, he had a nest egg to cover his expenses while he searched for a new job."

Did you know that there was a practice in which a fertilized egg was placed in a hen's nest to encourage it to lay more eggs? But what does this have to do with money?

The expression "nest egg" comes from that practice and refers to a small or moderate amount of money saved for future use. As old as the technique itself, the expression was already in use in the 17th century.

Unlike other phrases on this list that belong to the world of big corporations, this one is often related to personal or household finances. Have you got your nest egg set aside? We bet you do!

Image: Jack Anstey

"He didn't talk about his high salary so they wouldn't think he's on the gravy train."

Some people say that only hard-earned money is worthwhile. But here's an expression that indicates precisely the opposite.

When you obtain money easily, without much effort, it's said that you're on the "gravy train." This phrase originated in the United States in the early 20th century, specifically between the 1910s and 1920s, as popular slang among railroad workers. In this context, it was used to describe a run on which there was good pay and little work.

Over time, the idiom spread to other jobs and activities, and today, it's commonly heard in everyday conversation.

Image: Jay Wennington

"The tab is a little high. What do you think about going Dutch?"

Nothing like a good plan with friends! Whether it's a trip, a shopping spree, or dinner in a nice restaurant. And when the bill comes, many prefer to split it, so everyone chips in.

When it's time to split the bill at the end of the dinner, we say we're "going Dutch." It simply means that everyone pays for their part. The expression comes from the idea that Dutch people are often careful with money.

Next time your best friend offers to pick up the whole tab, you can relieve him or her by offering to go Dutch!

Image: Tim Evans

"I would love to buy that car, but I don't want to break the bank."

Have you ever had to "break the bank"? We're not talking about committing a crime, but the common expression that refers to spending a large amount of money, often difficult to afford.

When we go overboard and what we have to pay is a bit more than we can afford, we say we've "broken the bank." Scholars believe that the idiom emerged between the 17th and 18th centuries but really took hold in the mid-19th century. It was used in the gambling world when someone won so much money that the casino (the house or the bank) couldn't pay out.

Image: Noah Silliman

"I'd love to go on that trip with you, but I'm saving for a rainy day."

Do you like rain, or do you prefer sunny days? Beyond our personal tastes, rainy days have always been viewed as "gloomy days," commonly associated with sadness or hardship.

When someone says they prefer to "save for a rainy day," they're talking about being careful with money, saving up for tough times when they'll really need those dollars.

Some theories suggest the phrase dates back to 16th-century agricultural societies in Europe. While a little rain was good for the fields, excessive rainfall could ruin the crops, leaving many people without enough food. In those years, similar sayings and proverbs related to the weather were present, and by the 18th century, "saving for a rainy day" was already seen in spoken and written English.

Image: Erik Mclean

"I had to fork over $400 to fix my roof."

Some expenses are fun, but others aren't so much. When we have to pay for something we'd rather not, we can say we have to "fork over" the cash. Used in informal contexts, to "fork over" simply means to give or hand over money, especially when it's reluctantly.

Initially, it was used to describe handing over all kinds of things, but over time, the meaning associated with money stuck. It's believed that this idiom arose in the 19th century, when "to fork" was used as slang to describe pocket-picking with two or three fingers, resembling the prongs of a fork.

Ancient medicine

From honey to leeches: 10 weird old cures that actually worked

Before modern medicine, people relied on instinct, herbs, and plenty of trial and error. While many folk remedies were more superstition than science, a surprising number proved to have real medical merit. From moldy bread to leeches, these age-old treatments often concealed a trace of scientific truth beneath their folklore—and in some cases even inspired modern pharmaceuticals.

Ancient Egyptians used honey on wounds to prevent infection. Modern studies show that honey’s enzymes produce hydrogen peroxide, giving it antibacterial power. It also helps seal wounds, keeping dirt and bacteria out.

Medical-grade honey is now even used in hospitals for burns and ulcers. Its high sugar content and acidity further dehydrate bacteria, proving why this sweet cure was anything but primitive.

Used for centuries to reduce pain and fever, willow bark contains salicin—the same active ingredient that inspired aspirin.

Once ingested, salicin is converted to salicylic acid in the body, providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Modern aspirin simply refines this natural process into a convenient pill.

Thousands of years before Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, ancient Egyptians were already applying moldy bread to wounds for its antibiotic properties.

The Penicillium mold that grows naturally on stale bread produces compounds that prevent bacteria from forming strong cell walls, causing them to burst. This shows that even something as ordinary as moldy bread can conceal a groundbreaking discovery.

Traditionally, garlic was used to fight infections and parasites. Modern science has revealed that its antimicrobial power comes from allicin—a sulfur compound released when the cloves are crushed.

Much like antibiotics, allicin attacks bacterial cell walls, and studies show that garlic extract can combat E. coli and Staphylococcus strains. However, only raw garlic retains the full medicinal potency of allicin.

Medieval doctors used leeches to "rebalance" the body’s humors—a practice that seems worlds apart from modern medicine. Yet while the explanation behind their use has changed, leeches are still widely employed today in reconstructive surgery to restore blood flow to damaged tissue.

Leech saliva contains hirudin, a natural anticoagulant that prevents clotting and promotes circulation—essential for reattaching severed fingers or performing skin grafts.

Traditional Indian medicine used turmeric paste to treat wounds and inflammation. Its active compound, curcumin, has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Curcumin inhibits cytokines, small proteins that trigger swelling and pain, and is so effective that turmeric remains a key ingredient in many modern joint supplements and topical creams.

Ancient Egyptians called aloe the "plant of immortality." Its gel cools burns and speeds healing thanks to polysaccharides that promote skin repair.

Clinical use continues for treating minor burns and radiation dermatitis, and it is also commercialized in countless skincare products—making aloe a rare ancient remedy still used almost unchanged.

Australian Aboriginal medicine used eucalyptus leaves to treat coughs and congestion. The compound eucalyptol, found in the leaves’ oil, helps open airways and thin mucus, making breathing easier.

Today, it is a key ingredient in countless cough drops, inhalers, and chest rubs—proof that this ancient remedy still works effectively.

Extensively used in European folk medicine, dandelion roots and leaves act as mild diuretics and support liver function.

They increase bile flow and help remove toxins—effects confirmed by modern studies on hepatic enzymes. Today, dandelion extract still appears in herbal liver tonics. Additionally, most of the plant is edible, making it a nutritious addition to salads.

In the 18th century, herbalists used foxglove to treat dropsy—a condition often caused by underlying heart failure. Though the plant contains several toxic compounds, it also contains digitalis, a potent cardiac stimulant.

In controlled doses, digitalis helps regulate heart rate, and its refined derivatives, such as digoxin, are still widely used today in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.