Creepy lingo

You’ve said these (not so) innocent phrases your whole life: Learn more!

Image: Mathias Pinat

We toss out phrases like "bite the bullet" or "caught red-handed" without giving them a second thought. But some of our favorite everyday expressions began on battlefields, in prisons, and even on plague-ridden streets. Behind those cheerful turns of phrase are stories that range from weird to downright disturbing. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it light, but you might never hear these sayings the same way again.

Image: Nicholas Green

Before it described devoted fans or stubborn folks, "diehard" referred to soldiers who fought until their last breath. The term first appeared in the late 1700s to describe troops who refused to surrender. Today, it has lost its blood-and-battlefield meaning and simply signifies loyalty or persistence. So if you’re a diehard sports fan, you can safely keep your devotion on the couch instead of the battlefield.

Image: Muhammad Rizki

A rumor once claimed that "rule of thumb" came from an old law allowing men to beat their wives with sticks no wider than a thumb. That’s not true. The phrase actually originates from carpenters and brewers, who used their thumbs to make rough measurements before rulers were common. Over time, it picked up that false association, but its real roots are much less sinister and far more practical.

Image: Lucrezia Carnelos

These days, if someone is "pulling your leg," they’re joking around. But the phrase likely originated in 19th-century London, where thieves would trip their victims by tugging on their legs before robbing them. It wasn’t exactly harmless fun back then. Over time, the expression lost its sinister connotation and became something much friendlier: a playful way to tease without causing real harm.

Image: Go to Jon Flobrant's profile Jon Flobrant

This phrase has one of the darkest origins on this list. In the early 1800s, enslaved people in the United States were sometimes sold "down the river" to plantations in the Deep South, where conditions were far harsher. It came to mean betrayal or being deceived, though given its painful history, it’s often considered best avoided today. There are plenty of ways to describe someone letting you down without echoing that dark past.

Image: Peter Beukema

In the old days, sailors being inspected had to line up perfectly, with their toes touching a marked plank on the deck. Failure to "toe the line" could result in punishment or extra duties. The phrase later took on a figurative meaning: staying within rules or meeting expectations. Today, it’s more about following office policy than avoiding a sailor’s scolding.

Image: Daniil Onischenko

For centuries, "hysteria" was wrongly attributed to the female body, particularly the uterus (from the Greek word hystera). Doctors once used this diagnosis for nearly any symptom in women, from sadness to laughter. By the 19th century, people began to understand that emotions were not tied to specific organs. Today, "hysterical" usually means someone is laughing uncontrollably or reacting with intense emotion, not suffering from an outdated medical myth.

Image: mana5280

In the early 1900s, saloons would literally throw out freeloaders who came for the free lunch but didn’t buy a drink, rushing them to the door—a practice known as the "bum’s rush." Later, the phrase evolved into "bum rush," meaning to forcefully push in or overwhelm. These days, we might say a crowd "bum-rushed" the stage at a concert, but thankfully, no one is being tossed into the street.

Image: Vernon Raineil Cenzon

Centuries ago, when city streets were filthy and drainage was poor, heavy rain would sweep debris into the gutters—sometimes even animal carcasses. It’s believed that this grim sight inspired the phrase "raining cats and dogs." The image stuck, though thankfully the meaning softened over time. Today, it simply means it’s pouring outside, not that the sky is literally falling.

Image: Edoardo Cipollini

Being "caught red-handed" originally referred to criminals literally found with blood on their hands after committing a violent act. The phrase first appeared in Scottish law in the 15th century. Over time, it took on a lighter meaning (thank God!), used for any kind of wrongdoing, big or small.

Image: National Cancer Institute

Before anesthesia, soldiers in pain were given something hard to bite on during surgery. Guess what? A bullet. It was a way to endure unbearable pain in silence. These days, "biting the bullet" just means bracing yourself for something unpleasant, like paying your taxes or opening a stack of bills. The modern version is much easier on the teeth.

Some songwriters have made whole careers out of this…

Sorry is not the hardest word: learn about these 10 famous apologies

Image: Steve DiMatteo

From solemn and historical gestures to lighthearted expressions, apologies can take many forms. These very forms can determine whether the apology is accepted and believed or dismissed as false and insincere. The following ten examples, taken from different times in history, show us how to apologize properly—and how not to.

Image: Léonard Cotte

Galileo Galilei’s affirmation and publications supporting the notion that the Earth wasn’t at the center of the Universe were contrary to what the Bible might suggest. As a result, the Inquisition not only restricted Galileo from publishing his works that may support ideas deemed blasphemous by the Church but also had him imprisoned. The order was later changed to house arrest.

In 1992, 359 years after the incident, Pope John Paul II declared that Galileo wasn’t wrong. Maybe not an apology per se, but at least it was something, right?

Image: Eddie Wingertsahn

Not every apology needs to be expressed in words. In 1077, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV traveled across the Alps to beg for Pope Gregory VII's forgiveness. Only after three days of kneeling in the snow did Henry finally convince the Pontiff to welcome him back into the Catholic Church.

Henry IV had been excommunicated in the first place for usurping the Pope's authority and appointing his own bishops, a practice that was highly frowned upon at the time.

Image: Fine Photographics

The earliest apology showcased on this list belongs to Socrates, whose words were immortalized by Plato in a famous essay. It recounts how Socrates defended himself against charges of corrupting Athens’ youth and blaspheming local gods with his philosophical teachings.

While Socrates' speech is a classic, a jury of his peers remained unconvinced and he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Plato quotes Socrates as saying at his sentencing: "The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways—I to die, and you to live. Which is better, God only knows." Once again, so much for saying "I'm sorry."

Image: René DeAnda

Bill Clinton’s address to the nation on Aug. 17, 1998, is probably the most public acknowledgment of presidential misconduct in U.S. history. "Indeed I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong... I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that."

He confessed to an improper relationship with an intern but sought to put an end to the scandal, defiantly insisting that "even Presidents have private lives." It wasn't to be. Interest among the press, the public, and even Congress ultimately led to the second presidential impeachment in U.S. history.

Image: Chris Boland

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered a contrite apology for attending a Downing Street garden party while the country was under a strict coronavirus lockdown. He insisted that the gathering was a work event and did not breach government regulations on social mixing during the early days of the pandemic. "I want to apologize. I know the rage they feel with me and with the government I lead when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules. There were things we simply did not get right, and I must take that responsibility," Johnson said.

The apology might have brought Johnson some political breathing room but, in the end, it did little to dispel the rage because he eventually resigned from his post.

Image: Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez

Martha Stewart, the celebrity homemaker and media personality, was convicted in 2004 for lying to investigators about a stock sale and was sentenced to five months in prison.

While she sought to downplay the conviction as a "small personal matter," Martha was also contrite about its impact. "Today is a shameful day," she said. "It’s shameful for me, and for my family, and my beloved company, and all of its employees and partners."

Image: Yevheniia

When the German Chancellor Willy Brandt was scheduled to visit the Polish capital of Warsaw to sign the Treaty of Warsaw and formally recognize the border between Poland and East Germany in 1970, it was not expected of him to carry the guilt or the need to make amends for the actions of Nazi Germany during the war.

But, when he walked up to the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw, he took a moment to himself and promptly got on both his knees. This gesture probably helped his achievements as West Germany’s Chancellor which led him to the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.

Image: Andrew Le

Everyone has seen or heard about the infamous slap Will Smith delivered to Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. Mr. Rock was presenting the ceremony and made a joke about Jada Pinkett’s hair—Will Smith’s wife—, to which Smith took offense. He proceeded to stand up, walk to the stage, and slap Chris Rock in the face.

What made matters even more awkward was the fact that Will Smith had to walk onstage just a few moments later, to receive a Best Actor award and deliver his acceptance speech. He apologized during his speech and has since issued at least one public apology video expressing his regret for the incident.

Image: Mario Serpas

In June 2015, France's Ecology Minister Ségolène Royal said on French television that people should avoid eating Nutella because it is made with palm oil. She noted that palm oil plantations contribute to deforestation and climate change. But, after her comments, the Italian manufacturers of Nutella responded that their products were created with palm oil from sustainable plantations.

Italian politicians called on Royal to apologize and she eventually did. "A thousand apologies for the row over Nutella," Royal said on Twitter. "Okay to showcase progress."

Image: Stephen Mease

Kanye West, the rapper, made headlines in 2009 when he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, saying: "Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!" West was heavily criticized for cutting her off and ruining her winning moment.

He later issued an apology to Swift and her mother: "I’m sooooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mum. I spoke to her mother right after and she said the same thing my mother would’ve said. She is very talented! I like the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she’s in the bleachers! I’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment! I’m not crazy y’all, I’m just real. Sorry for that!!! I really feel bad for Taylor and I’m sincerely sorry!!! Much respect!!!"