Words of wisdom

Did you know that the idiom "by and large" comes from sailors?

Image: Mick Haupt

The English language is filled to the brim with impactful, deep, and sometimes whimsical imagery: Have you ever stopped to think about how much we rely on a vast array of unusual phrases to relay very common concepts? We are of course talking about idioms, those quirky and eccentric sentences that, if anything, provide a bit of color and variety to our everyday lives. But have you wondered where the idioms we say daily come from? Who was the first person to warn someone not to look into a gifted horse’s mouth? Don’t worry, we got you covered: We have researched the origins of 10 of the most common idioms in the English language. Enjoy!

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

The idiom "to fly off the handle" is used to describe someone who is not in full control of their emotions: Someone might fly off the handle if they angrily and suddenly overreact to a minor inconvenience.

You might be inclined to think that the titular handle is one found in an everyday tool like a frying pan or a wok, but it in fact comes from the world of lumberjacks: According to historians, this idiom comes from badly manufactured axes, out of which poorly fastened axe heads would sometimes come off flying. Since this outcome is obviously dangerous, this idiom perfectly describes unpredictable and potentially unpleasant situations.

Image: Ayla Verschueren

This idiom is a bit off-putting, isn’t it? Someone "chewing the fat" is engaged in pleasant yet trivial conversation: Whether it is idle chit-chat or harmless gossip, two (or more) people chewing the fat are usually chatting without a care in the world.

If you are wondering how chewing fat would eventually morph to mean chatting, you might want to take a look at the world of 19th-century sailors. In the days before refrigerators, sailors had to carry food that wouldn’t spoil on their voyages: One of these items was salted pork skin, which largely consisted of fat. In due time, the idle chatter that came from the long time it took to consume this honestly disgusting food became synonymous with the action itself.

Image: Igor

This is one of the idioms on this list that makes the most sense. An astrological blue moon is a rare occurrence in which the second full moon of a month might be seen with a pale blue tint. Blue moons usually occur approximately every 3 years, although some phenomena like volcanic eruptions or forest fires might produce them as well.

Logically, the idiom "once in a blue moon" is used to describe something that happens very rarely. In any case, this idiom does bring a certain mystique to complaining about that friend who is never able to hang out: You can simply say that they come around "once in a blue moon".

Image: Ilyuza Mingazova

No one wants to be on the receiving end of a "cold shoulder": This idiom is used to describe someone who is intentionally unfriendly to someone else. From an angry friend to a disgruntled coworker, if anyone is giving you the cold shoulder, you might want to look into what made them mad in the first place.

You might be inclined to believe that the origin of this idiom comes from the action of literally turning away from someone. However, some historians have a more interesting theory: They believe that it comes from medieval etiquette. According to these linguists, whenever the host of a dinner party in medieval times wanted their guests to leave, they would serve a cold cut of pork or mutton shoulder.

Image: Kylee Alons

Isn’t this idiom adorable? We instantly think about a worried cow waiting for her teenage cows to come home only to scold them for being out past their curfew. In any case, the idiom "till the cows come home" is used to describe something that takes a long and indefinite amount of time.

As you would expect, this idiom comes from the world of farming, and it dates back to at least the 1500s. Since cows were often milked late at night, the last job a farmer would have to do before turning in for the night would be to return the cows to their barns. And, as anyone with an office job will attest, the last task of the day often seems like the longest.

Image: LuAnn Hunt

The idiom "blood is thicker than water" is regularly used to highlight the importance of family, where blood is used as a symbol of family bonds. When someone tells you this idiom, they are trying to remind you that family needs to stick together through thick and thin.

Curiously, some historians believe that the origins of this idiom can be traced back to a mistranslation. According to them, the full adage states: "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb". Therefore, if this theory is to be believed, the meaning of this idiom would be the exact opposite, and bonds of friendship would supersede family bonds.

Image: Ben Wogl

This idiom should be fairly self-explanatory: Unless they are about to go on a delightful walk through the park, cats should never be placed inside bags. Not that this reminder will do anyone any good: As every single cat owner can attest, cats can (and will) go inside any object they find even slightly suitable.

In any case, what’s the origin of the idiom "to let the cat out of the bag"? Well, the answer might lie in Medieval markets, of all places. According to one theory, some unscrupulous merchants might trick patrons into buying small kittens, passing them as piglets sold inside a bag. Once the titular cat was "let out of the cat", the enraged patron would realize they were bamboozled, at which point it would probably be too late.

Image: Ekaterina Grosheva

"By and large" is an idiom used to describe a situation in general: For instance, you might be complaining about your job, only to end your sentence by saying "But by and large, I think it is a good workplace".

As with many other English idioms, "by and large" comes from sailor slang. In the old days, sailors would use the nautical term "full and by" to refer to traveling into the wind, while "large" was used to describe the exact opposite: Wind coming from behind. In that sense, the term "by and large" emerged to describe a situation in which the wind was coming from all directions.

Image: Simon Hurry

The idiom "white elephant" is used to describe something lavish and expensive that however doesn’t seem to serve any function whatsoever, rendering it burdensome. This phrase might seem nonsensical, but it does make perfect sense when you think about it: Would you like to receive a costly elephant as a birthday present?

You might think we are joking, but this is actually the historical basis behind this idiom: According to historians, rulers of the Kingdom of Siam (now present-day Thailand) would gift white elephants as gifts. However, you might be surprised to learn that these outlandish gifts were actually punishment: Since the elephants were extremely costly to keep, they would often become financial burdens to their owners.

Image: Julia Kwiek

We’ll end this article with one of the most baffling idioms we were able to find. The idiom "cat got your tongue" is used to describe someone rendered speechless after learning a particularly shocking piece of information. However, why these adorable pets are associated with losing the ability to speak is a mystery we can’t stop thinking about.

And while we can’t provide you with a definitive answer, here are some plausible theories: Some believe that it refers to Medieval times, in which blasphemers would be punished by forcefully removing their tongues and feeding them to street cats and other vermin. Others believe that it comes from the fear of witches, who would supposedly command their cat familiars to hex and curse their victims, rendering them speechless and catatonic.

Decoding

Being a "treasured guest" is not a compliment. This is the hidden meaning

Have you ever heard "Code Adam" while shopping for groceries at Walmart? Or maybe you’ve heard how "Dr. Firestone" was being paged during a routine hospital visit. They sound like harmless announcements. But behind these ordinary words are secret codes staff use to signal emergencies without causing panic. From hospitals and supermarkets to airports and Disney Parks, these phrases quietly warn employees that something is happening. You hope you never hear them, but if you do, it helps to know exactly what they mean.

We all love getting special attention at airports or hotel desks, but if you hear the clerk call you a "treasured guest," don’t feel so flattered. You may not be as VIP as one could think.

In the hospitality industry, "treasured guest" has become a humorous bit of industry folklore to describe someone causing trouble. Maybe a customer yelling at staff over expired coupons, demanding impossible accommodations, or throwing a full-blown tantrum at the front desk. Whatever it is, the phrase has become the staff’s secret way to warn co-workers without escalating the situation in front of the customers. Most guests don’t realize the meaning, but once you know it, you may start hearing it more often. We just hope it’s not about you.

Imagine you’re pushing a shopping cart through Walmart when suddenly the overhead speaker announces, "Code Adam." You can easily assume it’s some kind of employee meeting or cleanup request. But when you see them start locking the exits and moving around, you know something’s wrong.

This code was created in 1994 by Walmart in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in memory of the tragic case of 6-year-old Adam Walsh. Adam was abducted from a Sears department store in 1981 while shopping with his mother. His father, John Walsh, later became famous for hosting the TV program America’s Most Wanted and advocating for missing children. Even if Adam’s story ended in tragedy, Walmart created the emergency system in Adam’s memory, and other retailers soon adopted it nationwide, intending to have a quick response to missing or abducted children.

You’re sitting in a hospital waiting room during a routine check-up when you suddenly hear "Code Blue, Room 214." Most people immediately know it sounds serious, even if they are not entirely sure why.

The phrase "Code Blue" is used at hospitals to draw the necessary staff and equipment to perform a resuscitation. It was created in the early 1960s at Beathany Medical Center by Dr. Hughes Day. Before then, hospital resuscitations were often chaotic and poorly coordinated. In 1961, Dr. Day received a grant to build one of America’s first cardiac care centers, and he developed both the Code Blue alert system and the modern crash cart to improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies. Today, the system is used in hospitals across the country, sometimes with specialized versions like "Code Blue Pediatric" or "Code Blue Neonate."

Imagine visiting a loved one in the hospital when the intercom calmly announces, "Paging Dr. Firectone to the third floor." Your head surely goes, "Dr. Firestone’s probably having a busy day up there." He is, but it’s not what you think.

The phrase is actually a discreet fire alert used to warn staff about smoke, flames, or overheating equipment without frightening patients and visitors. Hospitals adopted these coded announcements after realizing that openly yelling "fire" over loudspeakers could create panic, especially among patients who aren’t able to move quickly. "Code Red" is an alternative used by many health centers today, but it also hints at the situation while keeping hallways calm.

You’re standing at a checkout counter when the cashier picks up the phone and quietly says, "I need a Code 10 authorization." If you think that’s just another way to get a supervisor’s approval or technical issue, think again. In reality, the cashier may suspect the credit card is stolen or fraudulent.

Code 10 was developed through a cooperative effort between major credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard, along with international standard organizations. As credit cards became more common in the 1960s and 1970s, stores needed a discreet way to alert banks about suspicious activity without directly accusing customers and potentially putting employees at danger. When a cashier requests a Code 10, the bank’s operator begins asking yes-or-no questions to assess the situation and guide the employee on what to do next.

You’ve probably experienced those long airport security lines. The wait is usually uneventful. But sometimes, you can hear "Code Bravo" over the speakers. Maybe it’s a delay, or maybe it’s an issue with luggage. Within seconds, people stop moving, the security line freezes, and exits may even close. It’s something bigger.

Code Bravo is the emergency phrase used by airport security and the Transportation Security Administration to signal a serious security threat, such as an unattended bag, a breach at a checkpoint, or someone slipping into a restricted area. The term comes from the international phonetic alphabet used in aviation and military communications, where "Bravo" represents the letter B. When this is called, security staff immediately lock down affected areas, stop screening lines, and search for the source of the threat. To passengers, it’s sudden and confusing, but to security, it’s a carefully rehearsed response.

You are heading back to your cabin on a cruise ship when the speakers announce, "Code Alpha, Deck 7." You may think Alpha is related to the captain, but that’s not the case. It means someone on board is suffering a medical emergency.

The phrase comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet, where "Alpha" represents the letter A. In maritime emergency jargon, it became shorthand for a Priority A medical situation requiring immediate response. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line commonly use the term, though some ships use variations like repeating "Alpha" three times. Once the code is announced, onboard medical teams rush toward the specified deck or cabin. If necessary, stretcher crews are mobilized, and in severe cases, the ship may even divert course toward the nearest port for emergency evacuation. Passengers are enjoying the views, but the staff is running to save a life.

Anyone who remembers the CB radio craze of the 1970s probably smiles when they hear "10-4." Movies, truckers, and radio fans turned those number codes into a part of American culture. So if you overhear "10-33" on a police scanner, you might assume it’s just another routine message. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.

The 10-code system was first created in 1937 by Illinois State Police communications director Charles Hopper and later standardized by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, better known as APCO. Officers needed short phrases they could understand clearly over crackling radio signals. The 10-33 code commonly means an officer needs emergency assistance. In some departments, it also signals radio silence so dispatchers can focus on the crisis unfolding in real time.

Disney World is amazing, the parks offer something for everyone, and there are things to see wherever you look. But that’s exactly the kind of place where a child can easily disappear into a sea of strollers, balloons, characters, and crowds. For that reason, Disney has developed the "Signal 70," which alerts cast members and security that a child has become separated from their family.

The number comes from older police and emergency radio systems, where "70" was commonly associated with missing persons. Disney adopted the phrase because it allows employees to communicate discreetly without frightening or alarming nearby guests. If a member finds the child, they gently -and magically- escort them to Baby Care Center, where they coordinate the reunion.

Cruises are great to relax, enjoying a good book under the sun with a nice drink by the side. Until you hear "Echo, echo, echo" on the speakers. If you do, something is happening somewhere else on the ship.

The code is used among cruise employees to signal that dangerous winds or a navigational hazard are affecting the ship. It comes from the international maritime phonetic alphabet, where "Echo" stands for the letter E. In maritime signalling, the letter traditionally means "I am altering my course to starboard." And, in time, the phrase became associated with urgent ship maneuvers and weather-related warnings. However urgent, the repetition of the word by three doesn’t represent life-threatening situations. It alerts the crew of a certain hazard to prepare while avoiding panic among passengers.