Idioms - And Where They Originate

Idiom: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
Have always been fascinated with these along with protocols that once had meaning but lost context and yet still continued usually under the guise of tradition, then the meaning lost completely.

"A penny for your thoughts"...
"At the drop of a hat"
"Put through the wringer"

Traditions that had a meaning but forgotten, for example the "Best Man" at a wedding. Why is he called the best man? Well, back then he was known as the best swordsman. He stood close to the groom to protect him, since weddings were often a financial arrangement!

"Kissing under mistletoe"
"Pinky Swear"
"Birthday Candles on Cake"
"New Years Resolutions"
"Flipping the Bird"

How did they come up with the width of railroad tracks. Where did the "inch" or "foot" length come from?

Lots of cool history.

 

The real question is, why did Shakespeare use so many cliches? Ben Franklin too!

(note: not a real question)

 

As a self-described nerd on this subject....don't get me started. I really do love this stuff.

"The Whole 9 Yards" is still actually unknown. It did not, as far as anyone can prove, originate from the length of the ammo belt for an aircraft.
"3 Sheets to the Wind" is also provenance unknown. Sheets are knots in sailor parlance, and if you don't tie it correctly it can be flapping in the wind along with your sails. As to why this should carry a connotation of drunkenness...no one knows.

For those actually interested, I recommend as a starter "Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language" by Patricia O'Conner and Stewart Kellerman.

I'll shut up now.

 

Who are you and what have you done with @Mikie?

 

Elvis has left the building...

 

^^^Hah! That's an Idiom!^^^
(Oh wait, you probably knew that...)

 

Hals und Beinbruch! (Break a neck and leg!) The Germans are more thorough. Although in Mikie's present condition, this may not have been the best choice.

 

He had to see a man about a horse....?

Back in the day we would have Japanese engineers assigned to our group for a few months. They had decent English skills, but always wanted to learn more. One time I remember well, a meeting break, I said "I have to take a leak". The Japanese guy said 'What does that mean?' Told him, but he could not understand, made no sense to him in his study of the English language. I couldn't explain it either...

 

I see this thread derailing into a 100 ways to express that same action...

 

Probably better than telling him you had to "tap a kidney." He probably would have assumed we mercenary Americans would sell our family members' body parts.

 

Where do idioms originate?
The idiom origination story is lost to the ages, but basically you take two adult idioms..

 

Watch the first minute or so, at least...

 

You need to get back on your bike.

 

You mean there is 100 ways to skin a cat?

 

yea poor @Mikie , at least I have something to read while I drop the kids off at the pool...

 

I went out to the garage to get another 5 gallon sparkletts bottle of water but just stared at my bike, ran it through the gears on the bike stand.......... one more time, yeah.

 

I had to explain that one to my wife once. She didn't see the humor....

he who laughs first



didn't get the joke

 

UPS is known for "stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime."

 

All's well that ends well...


(Are we done yet?)

 

Not 'til the fat lady sings.

 

This is going to hell in a hand basket.

 

This thread is driving me up a wall.

 

I feel you @Grego but,"Where all in the same boat"

 

I had a similar one, Japanese owned company with five from the mother company amongst our 100. Takes a bit to explain - an autoclave is a steam sterilizing machine. One of the Japanese guys was watching it to end its' cycle, indicated by the ding of a bell type thing.
I walked by and said,"A watched autoclave never dings".
He made me stop and explain it to him. I swear it took half an hour of me explaining about a pot and equating that to our sterilizer.

My mom also got a Japanese employee to freak and claim he was not assaulting her when she said, " You're pulling my leg"

 

I think you guys are all hitting the nail on the head...

 

Penny wise and pound foolish....

and a billionaire once said to me; watch your penny's and the dollars will take care of themselves.

 

"Grab the bull by the horns" and you may just end up "higher than a kite." Or maybe "down for the count" and "pushing up daisies."

 

Don't add insult to injury, at the drop of a hat, you could be stuck with a hot potato.
Regardless, I think mountain bikes are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

Two that should never be used in the same sentence:
Being on the rag.
Chewing the rag.

This thread reminds me of this Tex Avery cartoon.