by Curt Kovener
Ever wondered why the “hair of the dog” is a hangover cure, why a bird in the hand is worth “two in the bush” and who decided “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Some sayings are now so common place, we’ll utter them with no idea of where they came from. But every phrase, saying or proverb starts somewhere, and the results are sometimes surprising.
“Hold a candle to…”
This phrase originates from when apprentices were expected to hold the candle up, so their more experienced colleagues could see what they were doing. The phrase first appeared in print in 1641.
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”
This medieval proverb comes from the sport of falconry, where the ‘bird in the hand’ (the preying falcon) was worth more than ‘two in the bush’ – the prey.
“Hair of the dog that bit you”
This term for a hangover cure is another medieval saying, originating from the belief that once bitten by a rabid dog, the victim would be cured by applying the same dog’s hair to the bite wound. The first use of it being applied to drinking was in John Heywood’s 1546 book about proverbs in the English tongue.
“Off the record”
This American phrase was first attributed to President Franklin Roosevelt in 1932, who was recorded in The Daily Times-News saying “he was going to talk ‘off the record’, that it was mighty nice to be able to talk ‘off the record’ for a change and that he hoped to be able to talk ‘off the record’ often in the future.”
“A stone’s throw”
This term for ‘a short distance’ is a variation of ‘a stone’s cast’, first used in early editions of the Bible, for a short distance.
“The Acid Test”
This term came from the California Gold Rush in the 19th century, when prospectors and dealers used acid to distinguish gold from base metal. If the metal dissolved in a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, it was real gold.
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”
The earliest recording of the phrase in 1866, states “Eat an apple on going to bed, And you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread”. But in 1913, Elizabeth Wright recorded this phrase: “Ait a happle avore gwain to bed, An’ you’ll make the doctor beg his bread.” But the popular version of today is much easier to say and remember.
“A baker’s dozen”
This phrase is widely believed to originate from medieval times, when English bakers gave an extra loaf when selling a dozen in order to avoid being penalized for selling a short weight. Bakers could be fined, pilloried or flogged for selling ‘underweight’ bread.
“Beat around the bush”
Beat around the bush evolved from “beat about the bush”, a term used in birdhunting to rouse the prey out of the bushes, and into nets. Those who beat around the bush make a lot of noise but don’t bring home any results.
“Cut of your jib”
What actually is a jib? This triangular sail is used on sailing ships, and as each country has its own style of ‘jib’. The ‘cut of your jib’ determines where a boat originates from.
“Namby Pamby”
This was a nickname invented in the eighteenth century by poets John Gay, Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift to mock the English poet and playright Ambrose Philips. Philips, a tutor to King George’s grandchildren, gained notoriety for the sycophantic poems he wrote about his charges, often using babyish language such as “eensy weesy”– and his rival poets gave his own name the same treatment.
“Frog in the throat”
The earliest use of this name for a sore throat, was actually supposed to be a ‘cure’. In The Stevens Point Journal, November 1894, the Taylor Bros advertised a medicine called ‘Frog in the Throat’ that will “cure hoarseness” for only 10 cents a box.
“Fly off the handle”
Coined by American writer Thomas C Haliburton in 1843, this phrase was inspired by the way an axe-head will fly off its handle if loose.
“Fly by the seat of your pants”
This aviation term emerged in 1938 in US newspapers, to describe pilot Douglas ‘Wrong Way’ Corrigan’s (slightly perilous) flight from the USA to Ireland.
Gee Whiz!
First used in the late 19th century, Gee Whiz is actually shorthand and cleaned up blasphemous term for Jesus, as in taking the Lord’s name in vain.
“Go over like a lead balloon”
This first appeared in a cartoon in several newspapers in 1924. It then fell out of use until after WWII – and was said to inspire a certain British rock band to name themselves Led Zeppelin.
‘Saved by the Bell’
This is boxing slang from the late 19th century. A boxer who is in danger of losing a bout can be ‘saved’ from defeat by the bell that marks the end of a round.
“In the Limelight”
Limelight is an intense white light widely used in 19th century theatres to illuminate the stage. Actors who were the center of attention on stage are said to be in the limelight.
“In the buff”
A buff-coat was a light brown/yellow leather tunic worn by English soldiers up until the 17th century. The original meaning of ‘in the buff’ was simply to be wearing such a coat. Later on, ‘in the buff’ was used to mean naked, due to the color of the skin, which is similar to the buff coat.
“Mad as a hatter”
In the 1800’s mercury used to be used in the making of hats. This was known to have affected the nervous systems of hatters, causing them to tremble and appear insane. Mercury poisoning is still known today as ‘Mad Hatter’s disease’.