Expressions, metaphors, similes. We've all used them at one point or another, often without noticing. Ever wonder WHY we use these wordplays? Some of them date back hundreds, even thousands of years! Who would have thought?

1. "You let the cat out of the bag!"

Commonly used to mean exposing a secret, it actually used to be a phrase known for revealing a trick. During the Georgian Era, butchers did not sell various cuts of meat, like lamb or pork chops. Instead, butchers would actually sell people the entire animal to take home and slaughter themselves. To try and earn some more money, sneaky butchers would often tie up cats and dogs in the bags instead of lambs or pigs. If someone thought he or she was being conned, the person would untie the bag and reveal the contents in front of the entire street, exposing the butcher's scheme.

2. "I'll show you the ropes."

Nowadays, this is a general term used to describe a standard way of performing tasks. Its first use was during the golden age of sailing. On sailboats, there were a series of ropes used to raise, lower, tighten, loosen, and release the sails. Operating these ropes was a crucial skill for all sailors, and whenever a new crew member arrived, he was immediately taught how to effectively manage said ropes.

3. "She keeps me on my toes."

While seemingly modern, it's rumored that this expression dates back to the stone age. Everyone who wasn't as tall as a doorway constantly had to stand on tiptoes just to be able to view anything. Hence why nowadays we say that someone who "keeps you on your toes" is someone who constantly needs supervision.

4. "Dude, your goose is cooked!"

If you hear this phrase anytime, it's likely you're about to be doomed! Originating in the Czech Republic, it was coined when a priest named Jan Hus was burnt at the stake. His last name, "Hus" is a variation on the word "Husa," which is Czech for "goose."

5. "I passed that test with flying colors."

Like "show you the ropes," the phrase "with flying colors" also originated at sea. Prior to the invention of radio, ships used colored flags to communicate. Each ship had a distinct set of colors, just like the flags of countries today. If a ship won a battle of any kind, it would sail into port flying its flags as a symbol of victory.