A term that has evolved to mean something completely different from its original meaning is known as an idiom. This meaning frequently develops through time to be used in other contexts, usually from the context in which it was first employed. Therefore, it is typically vital to know how to use it. Idiom development is essential for language development.
Even though most of us use American phrases idioms daily, many of us are unaware of their history. Therefore, it is fascinating to learn about the origin of idioms and how they came to be. Idioms in any language are typically drawn from the regional culture and traditions.
It helps to retain these linguistic gems if you know the roots of these idioms. Fred Engh has published an exciting idioms book that carries America’s top 30 idioms with their origins.
We’ll examine a few of these intriguing idioms in this post and show you where the expressions originated.
Table of Contents
Cats And Dogs
Since the British are known for their obsession with the weather, a phrase referring to rain had to be included in their list. So, as we read in the book of phrases and idioms, when it’s raining hard, it’s “raining cats and dogs.”
Origins: Although it was initially mentioned in the 1651 anthology Olor Iscanus by poet Henry Vaughan, its sources are unknown. Its roots have been attributed to everything from Norse mythology to medieval superstition, although it could also be a reference to dead animals being carried through the streets by floods.
Break The Ice
To put a group at ease to foster friendship and resolve a dispute between friends.
Origin: Before the development of roads, ships served as the primary mode of transportation and trade. These ships might become stranded on the ice that forms on lakes and other bodies of water during the winter. The sending nation would then dispatch smaller vessels to assist in breaking the ice so that the commerce vessels could pass. This act has come to be understood between the giving and receiving nations as an offer of friendship.
Butter Someone Up
To lavishly flatter or laud someone.
Origin: It was traditional in ancient India to throw ghee (clarified butter frequently used in Indian cooking) upon the gods’ sculptures to win their favor and pardon. Similar to this, a Tibetan custom that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907) involves making butter sculptures for the New Year in the hope that doing so will bring happiness and harmony for the entire lunar year.
Give The Cold Shoulder
To ignore someone
Origin: In medieval England, there was a specific manner in which food was served to an unwelcome guest. Serving a hot meal or a roast straight from the oven was standard at the time. Therefore, presenting the guests with poor-quality meat, such as a chilly shoulder of mutton, was an indirect but practical approach to let them know they had stayed too long and should go.
Spill The Beans
The meaning of these idioms in English book is ‘revealing a secret.’
Origin: This one is a little difficult because there isn’t a simple solution. However, it is generally agreed that this originates from an ancient Greek voting system that used beans. Voting was done by placing one of two color beans in a vase; the white was commonly used to indicate approval, and black or brown indicated opposition. This implied that, should a secret be exposed, the election’s results would be made public earlier than anticipated. Therefore, spilling the beans refers to making public and confidential information.
An Arm And A Leg
It will cost to the point of sacrifice, to put it simply, is the meaning of this expression. The pain will be great. The cost is high.
There were no cameras in use during George Washington’s lifetime if we could travel back in time. A portrait needed to be painted or sculpted to be created.
You’ll notice something intriguing if you look at vintage photographs. The paintings could be limited to showing a person’s face. Other times, a person is offered with both arms or one arm behind their back. Interestingly, the cost of a portrait was determined by the number of painted limbs rather than the number of persons in the image. They would have to pay “an arm and a leg” if they desired a less expensive painting. Artists knew that painting arms, hands, and legs required more time and effort.
