In the shadows

Do you know where “dark horse” and “black sheep” come from?

Image: Jonatan Pie

The idea of "darkness" is used to describe mystery, risk, or even a little mischief. Have you ever noticed how many idioms there are for darkness? And what about where these sayings come from, or why have they stuck around for centuries? Today, we’ll take a tour through some of the darkest idioms tied to this concept, uncovering their roots and what they still mean in everyday life.

Image: Lindsey Bidwell

The phrase "dark horse" first appeared as slang in horse racing, where an unknown competitor could surprise the crowd by winning. Benjamin Disraeli, a British politician and novelist, popularized it in the 1830s. Today, we use it for people who come out of nowhere to impress, whether in politics, sports, or even at a family game night. Are you usually the dark horse?

Image: Paul Garaizar

This saying goes back to the days when darkness symbolized ignorance. To "keep someone in the dark" meant to deprive them of light and knowledge. It has roots in 17th-century English writing, and it stuck because the image is so simple: if you’re kept from the light, you can’t see the whole picture.

Image: Thomas Chan

The idea of something "casting a shadow" goes all the way back to ancient poetry, where shadows represented gloom, doubt, or even bad omens. Shakespeare often used shadow imagery to suggest suspicion or hidden truths. Today, we use this expression to refer to that negative impact, the shadow, that something else may have.

Image: Sasha Freemind

This expression comes from a French board game called "lourche," popular in the 1500s. To be "left in the lurch" meant being stuck in a hopeless position in the game. English speakers borrowed the phrase, and it evolved to describe abandoning someone when they most needed help. Quite gloomy, don’t you think?

Image: Andrew Hughes

For centuries, people believed one half of the moon was always hidden from view. That unseen hemisphere became a perfect metaphor for secrets or unknown territory. Even after space exploration revealed more about the moon, the phrase stuck around as a poetic way to describe the mysterious side of things.

Image: Andrew Neel

This one has an old-fashioned ring to it. In earlier times, saying you didn’t want someone to "darken your door" meant you didn’t even want them standing at your doorway and blocking the light. But today, it means visiting someone, even if that’s unexpected or undesirable for the homeowner. Remember, text before you darken someone’s door!

Image: Yᴏꜱʜ ʜ. Qᴜɪɴᴢᴇʟ

This phrase plays on the simple contrast between safety and danger. The sunny, well-lit side of the street feels safer, while the darker side symbolizes risk and shady dealings. It has been used both literally and metaphorically since the 1800s to refer to the less desirable path.

Image: Sven Mieke

The idea of a "black mark" dates back to the 1600s, when a literal black mark might be written beside someone’s name to show disgrace. Over time, it grew into a figure of speech for any stain on reputation. Even now, one mistake can be called a "black mark" against an otherwise good record. This one you might want to get away from, right?

Image: Jonathan Greenaway

Black sheep are beautiful, but back in farming days, black wool couldn’t be dyed like white wool, making them less valuable to farmers. By the 18th century, the term had wandered into family life to describe the odd member who didn’t fit expectations. Today, being the "black sheep" often carries a mix of humor and pride.

Image: NORTHFOLK

Accountants in the past literally used black ink to record profits and red ink to record losses. To be "in the black" meant your books looked good. Red, on the other hand, meant you were in debt. The phrase has been around since the early 20th century and is still shorthand for financial health, especially for businesses.

Blame evolution: 10 reasons why cats are (not) the worst pets

Cats often get a reputation for being difficult, distant, or unreliable pets. People who grew up with dogs sometimes describe them as cold, stubborn, or uninterested in pleasing anyone. This list looks at familiar cat behaviors that can feel frustrating at first, especially to new owners. Seen more closely, these same traits help explain why cats fit comfortably into many homes and why millions of people continue to choose them as companions year after year. Continue reading to discover that your cat truly loves you!

Calling a cat by name and getting no response is a common experience. Unlike dogs, cats rarely come running just because they are called. This can feel dismissive, even rude, to owners who expect a pet to respond on cue.

What’s often overlooked is that cats evolved as mostly solitary hunters. They did not develop social behaviors centered on following leaders or responding to group signals. Studies and everyday observation show that cats can recognize their names and the sound of their owner’s voice, but they decide for themselves whether to react or not. For many people, this independence means fewer demands for constant interaction and a pet that is comfortable spending time on its own.

Many cat owners know the sound: a slow tap, a pause, and then a cup or pen sliding off the edge of a table. Cats often push objects while watching closely, as if waiting for the result.

This behavior is tied to curiosity and learning. Cats use their paws to test how objects move, whether they roll, wobble, or fall. This kind of testing is connected to hunting instincts, where judging motion and distance matters. While it can be annoying, it also shows that cats stay mentally engaged with their environment instead of simply reacting to commands or routines.

Some cats appear deeply committed to a favorite chair, window, or room, while paying less attention to following their owners around the house. This can be mistaken for emotional distance.

In reality, cats rely heavily on familiar spaces. Territorial behavior is well documented in feline behavior, and known areas provide safety and predictability. Many cats show affection by choosing to remain near trusted people within these familiar spots. Staying close without constant contact is often how cats express comfort and attachment. It looks like indifference. It usually isn’t.

Cats can learn routines, such as using a litter box or recognizing feeding times, but they rarely perform tricks or tasks simply to please people. Compared to dogs, they are often labeled "untrainable." Domestication helps explain this difference. Cats were domesticated much later than dogs and retained more independent behavior. Dogs were bred over thousands of years for cooperation with humans, while cats largely adapted themselves to human environments. For many owners, this means living with an animal whose behavior feels consistent and self-directed, rather than shaped by constant training.

Adult cats sleep a lot—often 12 to 16 hours a day. This pattern comes from their natural rhythm as predators that conserve energy between short periods of activity. Instead of constant attention-seeking, cats rest when nothing demands their focus. For many households, this makes cats easier to live with, especially for people who value quiet or spend part of the day away from home.

Cats frequently refuse foods that dogs would eat without hesitation. They are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to rely on nutrients found primarily in meat. They require specific amino acids that plant-based foods do not provide. Their selectiveness reflects a digestive system shaped by evolution, not stubbornness. Once owners understand this, feeding routines often become simpler and more predictable.

Every new couch seems to be noticed immediately. Scratching furniture is one of the most common complaints about cats: sofas, chairs, and rugs often suffer. Scratching serves several purposes. It helps cats stretch muscles, maintain claw health, and mark territory using scent glands in their paws. While scratching can damage household items, the behavior itself supports physical comfort and well-being. Providing appropriate scratching surfaces allows cats to meet this need without constant correction.

Some cats nip during play or petting, especially when stimulation becomes too intense. It feels personal, but it rarely is. In many cases, cats show subtle warning signs first, such as tail flicking, ear movement, or muscle tension. Overstimulation, particularly around sensitive areas like the tail or lower back, triggers these reactions. Owners who learn to read these signals often find that cats communicate boundaries clearly and consistently.

Cats are often active early in the morning or late at night, which can interrupt your sleep. This crepuscular pattern comes from hunting instincts, as small prey animals are active at those times. Even indoor cats retain this rhythm. While it doesn’t always align with human sleep schedules, it also means cats can go about life without constant attention during the day, when many households are busiest.

Cats may ignore attention for long periods and then suddenly want closeness. This shift can feel confusing or inconsistent. They usually approach people when they feel calm and secure. Affection offered on their terms often feels different—and more noticeable—than affection given on demand. For many owners, these moments feel meaningful precisely because they happen by the cat’s choice rather than by routine or training.