Where did the popular phrase “spill the beans” originate from? 

Phrases and expressions are an integral part of language. Not only do they allow us to communicate what we want to say in a more interesting way, but they also act as vessels to history and anecdotes. If you have ever found yourself in a situation where you accidentally let out a secret, you must have heard the expression “spill the beans.” But what is the meaning behind it, because chances are, quite evidently, no actual beans were spilt on the floor. Read on to find out the meaning and origin behind this expression. 

What does the expression “spill the beans” mean? 
The expression “spill the beans” is used to say that a secret has been let out. It is used in situations where information that was supposed to remain private is revealed, either accidentally or on purpose. For example, Sarah spilled the beans about her mother’s birthday party which everyone had been planning for weeks. Other similar phrases and expressions which can be used in place of this one are: “to let the cat out of the bag”, “leaking a piece of information”, etc. 

Where does this expression originate from? 
Although linguistic historians do not agree upon one single origin story behind this expression, there are a few which might be possible. The first one dates back to Ancient Greece. In the political system back then, citizens voted for their leaders anonymously using beans. White-coloured beans signified positive votes while the darker coloured ones represented a negative vote. The business of casting votes was done in secret, so the result was announced only after the beans were counted. However, if someone accidentally or intentionally knocked over the jar, the beans would be spilt on the ground and the results would be out prematurely. This example clearly explains how this expression was used to denote secret, classified information being shared.  

One of the first modern usages of this phrase was in “The Stevens Point Journal” which was published in the United States in 1908. It read, “Tawney, when he came to congress, wasn’t welcomed within the big tent. He had to wait around on the outside. Then the blacksmith [Jim Tawney] got busy. He just walked off the reservation, taking enough insurgent Republicans with him to spill the beans for the big five.”