20 Common Phrases with Unusual Historical Origins

This expression is generally associated with the old craft of hat-making, in which mercury was used to treat felt. Prolonged exposure could cause tremors and behavioral changes, which helped make the “mad hatter” less of a cartoon character and more of an occupational hazard, even though the exact origin of this expression is still a matter of debate.

This expression has its origins in a wonderfully petty theatrical anecdote. Playwright John Dennis is said to have created a sound effect mimicking thunder for his own play—which did not achieve the success he had hoped for—only to discover that another production had copied his trick, meaning that someone had literally “stolen his thunder.” 

Original publication from the early 20th century, whose copyright has expired

Today, this means being severely reprimanded, but originally, it was an actual British law. The Riot Act had to be read aloud in front of a crowd before the authorities could declare the gathering illegal, which makes the modern version used in the office a little less dramatic. 

This expression comes from the world of pipe organs, not from motivational posters. “Pulling the stops” allows more air and sound to flow through the instrument; thus, the expression “to go all out” originally meant to exert the most intense and loudest effort possible. 

Originally, a “red herring” referred to a heavily smoked fish, and it was its strong smell that gave this expression its somewhat strange figurative meaning. This figurative meaning was popularized by a story claiming that the fish was dragged along a trail to distract hunting dogs, although that story itself has contributed to the confusion. 

The word “amok” comes from a Southeast Asian term that refers to a sudden, violent frenzy. Today, it’s used to describe toddlers throwing tantrums at the supermarket or printers that aren’t working properly—which is quite a shift from its original, intense meaning.

This is a typical cinematic expression. In early films, the thrilling chase scene was often saved for the end; thus, “getting straight to the point” meant skipping the slow build-up and going straight to the part everyone was waiting for. 

This expression likely has its origins in old-fashioned carnival games, where cigars were given out as prizes. If you had almost won but fell just short, the carnival barker might say to you, with unparalleled cruelty: “Almost, but no cigar.” 

This expression comes from horse racing, where a jockey with a comfortable lead could loosen his grip on the reins as he approached the finish line. To win “haut la main” meant to claim victory so easily that there was no need to keep pushing. 

This expression has sinister origins. It first appeared around the time of World War I, following rumors and eyewitness accounts of soldiers who were so severely wounded that they allegedly had to be carried away in baskets, although the authorities denied that such cases ever occurred. 

For a very long time, people have been wary of crocodiles’ emotions. This expression has its origins in an ancient belief that crocodiles cried while devouring their prey, which paints a perfect picture of feigned sadness. 

A “white elephant” refers to something that is expensive and impressive, but not really necessary. This expression generally originates from stories about rare, pale-colored elephants in Siam (now Thailand), where these animals were considered sacred and were costly to maintain. 

In ancient times, laurel wreaths were symbols of victory, especially for athletes and prominent figures. “To rest on one’s laurels” means to rest on past achievements instead of doing anything useful today. 

This expression has nothing to do with excellent report cards—at least not originally. The word “colors” referred to flags, and leaving the battlefield or returning to it victorious while flying the colors was a visible sign that everything had gone well. 

This famous anecdote features Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was one-eyed and is said to have held his telescope up to that eye so he could ignore a signal to retreat. The expression already existed before him, but the anecdote about Nelson gave it that memorable quality that the language so loves.

In the past, the term “deadline” had a much more literal meaning than simply a date on a calendar. During the Civil War, the word referred to the boundaries of the prison perimeter, which prisoners crossed at the risk of being shot.

A “baker’s dozen” actually refers to 13 loaves, because bakers had every reason to be generous. In the Middle Ages, bakers risked being penalized if they sold loaves that were too light; by adding an extra loaf, they ensured their customers’ satisfaction and avoided fines.

This expression has its origins much closer to blood than to a cookie jar. Originally, it referred to someone who literally had blood on their hands, particularly in connection with crimes such as murder or poaching. 

This expression has its origins in the practice of estimating a horse’s age. As horses age, their gums recede and their teeth appear longer; thus, describing someone as an “old-timer” is, in a way, akin to repeating stable gossip. 

This expression has its origins in early firearms, where gunpowder could ignite in the pan without actually firing the weapon. This produced a spectacular effect for a fraction of a second, but then came to nothing; that is exactly how we use this expression today.