Bobby Bones shared where the origins of where historical phrases came from and what they mean!
- Three sheets to the wind – Sailors used that term when they were tipsy because it was a sheet in the wind's eye and so being fully drunk was three sheets to the wind.
- Something costs an arm and a leg – Originated from the practice of artists charging more for a portrait that included more than just the face, making it a more complex piece of work.
- Spill the beans – Comes from ancient Greece, where beans were used to cast votes, and if a jar of beans were spilled over, the votes would be revealed prematurely.
- Hit the hay – Beds were made of hay back in the day, so if they were going to bed, they were hitting the hay.
- Break the ice – Dates back to the practice of ships having to break ice in Artic regions to create a path.
- Cut to the chase – In a TV show, instead of doing all the buildup, they just cut right tot he police chase.
- Pulling my leg – Back in the 18th century, street thieves would actually pull people down by their legs to rob them.
- Eat crow – The bible lists crow unfits for eating, but it was legal to eat in the Middle Ages, but it was notably humiliating to consume, just like its humiliating to admit when you’re wrong.
- Doesn’t hold a candle to it – Relates back to the 17th centaury and comes from talking about an Apprentce who wasn’t even skillful enough to hold a candle for his master.
- Dress to the nines – The best suits used a full nine yards of fabric.
- Bury the hatchet – It’s Native American and when two tribes agreed to settle their differences, the chief from each tribe would bury a war hatchet in the ground to signify their agreement.
- Bite the bullet – Soldiers were given a bullet to bite on during surgery to help them endure pain.
- Close but no cigar – If you won a contest, they would give you a cigar, so if you got close, you wouldn’t get it.