Have you ever wondered why we say things like “break the ice” or “ducks in a row”? Our everyday language is sprinkled with quirky expressions, many of which have fascinating origins. Everyday sayings like “burning the midnight oil” and “riding shotgun” have been passed down through generations, often losing their original meanings along the way. Why do we like these expressions and sayings so much? Where did they come from? Why do we continue to overuse them? Read on to find all the answers to this and more.

Favorite Everyday Sayings

“The Ball Is in Your Court”

When someone says, “The ball is in your court,” it means it’s your turn to make a decision or take action. This phrase comes from tennis, where the ball must bounce in the opponent’s court. If the ball is in your court, it’s your responsibility to respond. Simple enough explanation, right?

“Hit the Head”

If you’ve ever been on a boat or served in the military, you might have heard someone say they’re going to “hit the head,” meaning they’re heading to the bathroom. This nautical phrase dates back to the early days of sailing when the bathroom aboard ships was located at the bow or the “head” of the vessel. Because of the positioning, the wind would naturally blow away the odors. Over time, “head” became shorthand for the bathroom on ships, and the phrase stuck, eventually spreading into broader usage.

“Ducks in a Row”

We often hear this phrase when someone is preparing for an important task or project, meaning they’re making sure everything is organized and ready. But what do ducks have to do with organization? The most likely origin of this phrase comes from bowling. Early bowling pins were shorter and had to be manually set up between frames. When all the pins (or “ducks”) were neatly aligned in a row, it meant the bowler was ready for the next round. Some suggest it could also refer to mother ducks guiding their ducklings in a neat row behind them, as ducks instinctively follow this formation. I like the bowling origin, because why not?

“Bite the Bullet”

To “bite the bullet” means to endure something painful or unpleasant with courage. This saying harks back to battlefield surgeries in the 19th century. Before modern anesthetics, soldiers wounded in battle were sometimes given a bullet to bite down on to distract from the pain during surgery. The hardness of the bullet kept them from biting their own tongue or screaming out, and it gave them something to focus on other than the excruciating procedure. Today, we use the phrase when we have to face a tough or unpleasant task head-on.

“Burning the Midnight Oil”

When someone says they’re “burning the midnight oil,” it means they’re staying up late to finish work. This phrase originates from the days before electric lighting when people had to use oil lamps to work or read at night. The “midnight oil” refers to the oil that fueled these lamps, allowing people to stay productive long into the night. Even though we now have electricity, the phrase has endured as a metaphor for working late.

More Classic Expressions

“Cost an Arm and a Leg”

We use this phrase to describe something incredibly expensive. Its origin is debated, but one popular theory dates back to the 18th century when portrait painters would charge more to include limbs in their portraits. The reasoning was that painting detailed body parts like arms and legs took more skill and time, so the subject would have to pay more. Whether or not this theory holds true, the phrase has become synonymous with high costs.

“Let the Cat Out of the Bag”

To “let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret, often unintentionally. One possible origin comes from medieval marketplaces where farmers would sell pigs in sacks. Dishonest vendors would sometimes try to trick buyers by substituting a less valuable cat for the pig. If the cat was released from the bag before the sale, the scam would be exposed. The phrase has since evolved to mean revealing any secret, not just a fraudulent one.

“Break the Ice”

We use “break the ice” to refer to getting past the initial awkwardness in a social situation, but its origins are nautical. In the past, before the advent of icebreakers (the ships designed to sail through ice-covered waters), smaller ships couldn’t pass through frozen waters. Larger, stronger ships would “break the ice” and create a path for smaller vessels to follow, symbolizing the act of removing barriers to allow progress. Today, it refers to starting a conversation or easing tension in a social setting.

“Under the Weather”

When someone says they’re “under the weather,” it means they’re feeling unwell. This phrase originates from the maritime language. On ships, when sailors felt sick, they often went below deck, away from the harsh weather, to recover. Being “under the weather” referred to them being sheltered from the bad weather above, connoting illness or a state of physical discomfort.

Neverending Phrases

“Riding Shotgun”

Nowadays, we say someone is “riding shotgun” when they sit in the front passenger seat of a car. However, the term originates from the Wild West. When stagecoaches were used for transportation, the person sitting next to the driver often carried a shotgun to protect against bandits or outlaws. That person was said to be “riding shotgun,” ready to fend off any threats, a phrase that now applies to a much more peaceful role in cars today.

“Straight from the Horse’s Mouth”

When we say information is coming “straight from the horse’s mouth,” it means the information is coming from a direct and reliable source. This phrase originates from horse trading. Buyers often wanted to know the age of a horse, which could be determined by examining its teeth. The most reliable information about a horse’s age was said to come “straight from the horse’s mouth” rather than from the dealer.

“Cut to the Chase”

This phrase means getting to the vital part of something without delay. It comes from early filmmaking, particularly silent films, where action sequences, especially chase scenes, were often the most exciting part of the movie. If a film was too slow or bogged down by dialogue, viewers would say they wanted to “cut to the chase”—to skip ahead to the action.

“Let the Chips Fall Where They May”

This phrase means to allow events to happen naturally, without worrying about the consequences. It comes from the practice of chopping wood. When woodcutters chopped down trees, the wood chips would fly in all directions. They didn’t worry about where the chips landed; their focus was on cutting the tree. The phrase has come to mean accepting the outcomes of actions without trying to control every detail. For some reason, I’ve always associated this one with poker. Who knew?

“Steal Someone’s Thunder”

To “steal someone’s thunder” means to take credit for someone else’s idea. The phrase originated with 18th-century playwright John Dennis, who invented a new technique to mimic the sound of thunder in his play. When his play flopped, but other productions used his thunder sound effect, Dennis famously exclaimed that they had “stolen his thunder.” Now, it refers to taking someone’s ideas or glory.

“Hands Down”

“Hands down” means something is easily accomplished or a clear winner. The term comes from horse racing. When a jockey was so far ahead in a race that they could relax their hold on the reins and lower their hands, they were said to win “hands down.” Today, it describes any situation where victory or success is achieved easily. Everyday sayings like this are used so frequently that drinking games have been developed from it.

“On Cloud Nine”

Being “on cloud nine” means being extremely happy. The phrase’s origin could be clearer, but one theory connects it to the U.S. Weather Bureau, which classified clouds in the 1950s. “Cloud nine” was the highest cloud, representing the ultimate happiness.

“On the Same Page”

This expression likely originates from the world of publishing and reading. It suggests that people need to agree or understand the same information, just as readers would be on the same page of a book during a discussion.

Everday Sayings are a Way of Life!

Everyday sayings are like little time capsules, carrying echoes of the past into our modern lives. Whether you’re “cutting to the chase” or trying to get “on the same page,” these sayings connect us to the stories, cultures, and quirks of those who came before us. They remind us that language is alive, evolving with each generation while holding onto its rich history. So the next time you “break the ice” or “bite the bullet,” take a moment to appreciate the fascinating origins behind the words we often take for granted. Who knows? You might find yourself “on cloud nine” exploring more of these verbal treasures.