Behind popular wisdom

12 common sayings that don’t mean what you think

Image: Alexandra Fuller

We hear them daily and rarely question their meaning, but many popular sayings come from surprising origins—or mean something entirely different than we think. Some of these discrepancies are rooted in history, others in mistranslation, and more than a few in good old-fashioned misunderstanding. Here are 12 familiar phrases decoded and laid bare with real facts.

Image: César Couto

The original version, a 12th-century German proverb—_"The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb"_—suggests chosen bonds (like friendship or military brotherhood) are stronger than family ties, the opposite of how it’s used today. This shift in meaning likely occurred in later times, as the abbreviated form entered popular speech.

Image: Thiago Santos

The full phrase is "Great minds think alike… and fools seldom differ." With the full version, the meaning turns ironic—it suggests that both geniuses and fools can agree just as easily, likely a warning against groupthink.

Image: Bing Frost

This proverb is often used to warn against dangerous inquisitiveness, but the full version—_"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back"_—adds nuance. It suggests that the reward of knowing can outweigh the risks of curiosity.

Image: Erik Mclean

The full phrase is "Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one." Originally, it praised versatility, not criticized it. The missing line completely flips the meaning, suggesting it’s often better to be well-rounded than narrowly skilled.

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This phrase meant an impossible task—just like lifting yourself by your own shoelaces. First recorded in the 1800s, it mocked absurd self-starting efforts. But by the 20th century, American individualism had flipped its meaning into a motivational mantra.

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The original phrase is "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," meaning you have to try something to know if it’s good. The modern shorthand makes little sense by itself and loses clarity but still hints at the original idea: results matter more than appearances.

Image: Luís Perdigão

There are competing theories about this phrase’s origin. The most common links it to boxing radio commentary, where a losing fighter is "saved by the bell" at the end of a round. Others trace it to 18th-century burial customs, when the fear of being buried alive led to coffins being rigged with strings tied to bells aboveground.

Image: Rowen Smith

A popular myth claims the phrase "rule of thumb" stems from a law allowing men to beat their wives with sticks no thicker than a thumb. Fortunately, no such law ever existed. The phrase dates back to the 17th century and likely originated in trades where measurements were estimated using the thumb’s width or length.

Image: Claudio Schwarz

One theory about the origin of "cold turkey" links it to the clammy, pale skin that some people experience during withdrawal, said to resemble cold turkey meat. However, a more likely explanation is that it combines the earlier idiom "talking turkey" (meaning to speak plainly) with "cold," used to describe something abrupt or blunt.

Image: Greg Pappas

This phrase isn’t about feeling cozy—it refers to rope-strung beds from the 18th century. Back then, mattresses rested on a web of ropes that needed regular tightening. "Tight" meant the ropes were pulled firm to prevent the mattress from sagging.

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Though it sounds mythological, this phrase comes from early 1700s theater. Playwright John Dennis invented a new thunder sound effect for his play. After the show flopped, another theater used the effect without credit. Dennis famously complained, "They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder."

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Before modern transportation, trade ships often got stuck in winter ice. So, smaller vessels were sent to break the ice and clear a path. Used since at least the 16th century, the original nautical context made it a natural metaphor for overcoming barriers.

Furry instincts

When animals flee, take cover: 10 chilling early warnings from nature

Image: Zoltan Fekeshazy

Long before radar and satellites, animals have relied on their sensory superpowers to detect natural disasters. From elephants hearing through the ground to ants reacting to tremors and storms in advance, many creatures exhibit behaviors that hint at impending doom—often hours or even days before it hits. Here's a list of 10 real ways animals are believed to detect and respond to natural disasters.

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Elephants can detect low-frequency seismic vibrations through their feet, known as infrasound. These sounds travel great distances through the ground, giving elephants an early warning system for earthquakes.

Field studies in Sri Lanka and Thailand have recorded elephants moving to higher ground hours before tsunamis and quakes.

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Dogs often display signs of anxiety—pacing, whining, hiding—before storms or earthquakes. In some cases, they have even alerted owners to seizures or cardiac events.

Their acute sense of smell and hearing allows them to detect subtle changes in barometric pressure and even the scent of ozone that precedes a thunderstorm. In quake-prone areas, dogs have been reported barking frantically seconds before tremors strike.

Image: Alexandre Boucey

Sharks can detect shifts in barometric pressure, allowing them to dive deeper before hurricanes strike.

In 2001, tagged bonnethead sharks in Florida were observed diving rapidly in response to Hurricane Gabrielle’s approach. Their pressure-sensitive lateral lines function like an early-warning system for dangerous storms.

Image: Prince Patel

Ants have been observed to alter their foraging behavior and nest structure before earthquakes. Scientists believe they react to changes in soil gases and vibrations.

In addition to earthquakes, ants can also detect approaching storms. Changes in barometric pressure and humidity can cause ants to become more active or retreat deeper into their nests.

Image: Mohamed Fsili

As one would expect, birds are highly responsive to changes in air pressure. Many species change flight paths or stop migrating if a storm is coming.

In 2014, golden-winged warblers abruptly left Tennessee days before a deadly tornado outbreak, only returning after the threat passed. GPS trackers on some of the birds confirmed the sudden 900-mile round-trip escape.

Image: Geoff Brooks

Fish have been recorded jumping out of the water just before earthquakes, possibly reacting to pressure or specific chemical changes.

In Japan, koi and eels exhibited panic-like thrashing and leaping before the 2011 Tōhoku quake. Researchers suggest their specialized senses can detect subtle pressure waves or dissolved gas anomalies in water.

Image: Michelle Gordon

Rats often leave urban areas en masse before major flooding events. Sewer vibrations or scent cues may warn them of the incoming danger.

In India and Bangladesh, mass rat migration has historically preceded flash floods. Their survival relies on quickly identifying danger zones, and some believe their whiskers help detect water movement and even vibrations deep underground.

Image: Peter Fogden

Dolphins may be able to detect algal blooms (red tides) from miles away and often swim clear of affected areas.

Scientists believe their acute echolocation could help them sense chemical changes or detect developing dead zones. In Florida, dolphins have been observed avoiding regions impacted by Karenia brevis blooms long before any visible changes appear in the water.

Image: Erzsébet Vehofsics

Frogs may alter their calls ahead of seismic activity, responding to low-frequency vibrations.

Researchers in Japan recorded changes in frog croaking patterns in the days before the 2011 quake. The frogs emitted less frequent and lower-pitched calls, suggesting discomfort from environmental shifts.

Image: William Warby

Crickets often go silent ahead of disasters. This curious behavior may be linked to their sensitivity to ground vibrations and air pressure changes.

Studies in Indonesia noted decreased cricket chirping before tsunamis. The silence has been proposed as a natural indicator, potentially tied to shifts in humidity or ground tension.