The English language is one of the most interesting languages in the world. It's a wonder how it has come so far considering the slang, introduction of new words, and constant misuse of the current ones. The phrases and sayings we have come accustomed to using are a perfect example of what our language can produce.
How many times did your parents tell you as a kid that something would happen "once in a blue moon"? Chances are you were like me and had absolutely no idea what your parents were talking about. Sure, you came to understand that this meant you were getting a raise in your allowance just about as often as you got ice cream for dinner, but you still didn't understand the whole "blue moon" thing.
Our language is littered with sayings just like this one, puzzling members of our society every day. Some of these sayings have become part of regular vocabulary, but how many people knew where these sayings originated...
1. "Break a leg."
The first time hearing this one when I was younger I had to ask myself if I was friends with a comedian, or an asshole. This saying originated through superstition at a time when people believed in sprites, or evil spirits. The sprites would hear people and do the opposite of what was said, so by saying "break a leg" you were actually wishing them good luck.
2. Having the "Upper hand"
It's no secret that baseball is America's past time. Besides entertaining millions of Americans, it also gave birth to one of the most common ways of telling someone you won. Having the "upper hand" originated on the baseball diamonds of U.S. playgrounds. One player would grab the bottom of the bat, then a member of the other team would grab directly above him, and this would continue until someone grabbed the top of the bat. The team who grabbed the top had the "upper hand", and would get to bat first.
3. "Close, but no cigar."
No need to lie. This one had you stumped when you heard it for the first time. The saying that sounds like it should be coming from a bad guy in an action movie. This originated back when carnivals would give cigars as prizes, particularly for shooting games. Hearing this saying would be the only prize you got if you didn't hit enough bottles.
4. "Sleep tight."
Because sleeping loose is just about the most uncomfortable damn way to sleep there is. Before box springs were around, mattresses were supported by ropes that were tied together from either side of the bed. Tightening the ropes ensured you would sleep tight; however, it made no guarantees about not letting the bed bugs bite...
5. "Brand spanking new."
Whoever came up with this one really outdid themselves. It is not uncommon for doctors to spank babies when they are first born in order to get them to start crying as well as breathing. Not only was a baby born, but so was one of the most popular sayings in the English language.
6. "With a grain of salt."
Ahh, the saying that makes you morally unobligated when spilling the beans. Salt was once thought to be an antidote to poison as well as to have healing properties. During this time someone would take a precautionary grain of salt with a piece of food or drink they thought was bad.
7. "Tied the knot."
You can almost hear the wedding bells along with this saying. In some marriages the bride and groom will tie their wrists together at the end of the ceremony. This saying has been around for quite some time now; however, it seems like most couples leave this practice for their first night together instead of up at the alter.
8."Jump on the bandwagon."
The saying everyone can relate to. We all have done it. I mean after all, half of the Seattle Seahawks fan base are bandwagon fans. During old political campaigns candidates would have small parades in order to bring in supporters for the cause. When someone decided who to side with they would hop on the wagon of the candidate they chose.
Now none of this is life changing information, but now you know people haven't really wanted you to break your leg your whole life. There are different theories about where these sayings originated, but we can all agree they are here to stay.
These sayings are just a few of the hundreds that circulate in our daily conversations. They can be funny, serious, crude, common, uncommon, and just about anything in between.
It may seem like these sayings originated from nothing more than a drunken stupor, but if you do your research you will see there's much more to it than that...well at least most of the time. You may just find out a blue moon is what they call it when a full moon appears twice in one month.
And Go Seahawks.
