The Astounding Origins of English Idioms

Echoes of History: Unraveling the Fascinating Stories Behind Everyday Idioms

Photo by Unsplash by Brett Jordan

English idioms are the quirks that give the language its charm and color. Often, their origins are as fascinating as the phrases themselves. Let’s explore some of these expressions and the stories behind them.

Kicking the Bucket

To “kick the bucket” is a light-hearted way of referring to someone’s death. But where does this odd expression come from? One theory suggests it originates from the method of slaughtering pigs in the Middle Ages. A bucket was placed under the pig, and as it was killed, it would kick the bucket in its death throes.

Bite the Bullet

“Bite the bullet” means to endure a painful experience without showing fear. This phrase dates back to the 1800s when there was no time or means for proper anesthesia during battlefield surgeries. Soldiers would bite down on a bullet to distract from the pain.

Spill the Beans

To “spill the beans” is to reveal a secret, but it originally referred to an ancient Greek voting method. Beans were used to cast votes — white for yes, black for no. If someone accidentally or purposely knocked over the jar, the beans would…