4 English phrases and idioms with dark origins
We all use phrases or idioms in our daily conversations, such as ‘the ball is in your court’ to indicate that the next action lies with you or ‘spill the beans’ to reveal your secret. These phrases have made conveying expressions and feelings easier while saving a lot of time! Although we repeatedly use few and know some more, did you know that English language has over 25,000 idioms? Amazing indeed! Many of these phrases have a backstory, but some have a really bleak beginning. Do you want to know which phrases may have a sinister backstory? Keep reading to find out!
Riding shotgun
This is a phrase you have probably heard and said a lot. You yell shotgun when you’re about to go for a drive with your parents or friends, secure the passenger seat and enjoy your ride with a clear road view. There are some responsibilities that come with sitting next to the driver, such as changing playlists and providing directions from Google Maps or rolling down your window and asking a passer-byes for directions. But have you ever wondered why you say the word ‘shotgun’? Why does sitting in the front require uttering the name of a weapon? It’s because in the yesteryears, people had to actually carry a shotgun while riding a car frighten robbers. So, they used to utter ‘shotgun’! How different from the responsibilities you have now!
Pulling someone’s leg
What do you say when you’re teasing or making fun of someone? You say ‘I am just pulling your leg’, don’t you? Years ago, this phrase, which we now use to play a harmless joke on someone, had a dark meaning. You may wonder how a phrase associated with fun and jokes could be linked to something sinister, right? Well, thieves in 18th and 19th century London did not think on the same lines as you do. To rob their victims, these thieves would drag them on the ground by pulling their legs. That is how this phrase got famous! Fortunately, the meaning has now evolved with time! Phew, what a relief.
Baker’s dozen
What does a dozen mean? It means 12 pieces of something, right? But a ‘baker’s dozen’ means 13 pieces. Well, who wouldn’t like an extra loaf of bread? However, this tradition of serving 13 items instead of 12 was not created by bakers to please their customers. British king Henry III had passed a rule called the Assize of Bread and Ale in the 13th century to ensure that bakers didn’t skimp on the weight of the goods being sold or overcharging their clients. If bakers were caught selling smaller or lower quality bread to customers, they might have their hands chopped off! So, for safety's sake, it was easier for the bakers to simply give an extra piece of bread, to correct any chance of error, keep their customers happy and hands intact!
Letting the cat out of the bag
What phrase do you use if your secret is revealed? You say, ‘Well, the cat is out of the bag,’ isn’t that right? Why do you think the phrase includes a cat in a bag? According to one theory, it originated during the medieval era. When farmers used to go to markets to buy pigs, they’d return with a pig in their bag. However, if they purchased from a dubious vendor, they would unwrap their bag to discover a disappointing surprise: Their expensive pig had been exchanged for a much less expensive cat! Now the idiom makes sense, doesn’t it?