10 Commonly Used Phrases You Didn’t Know Had A Dark Past And It Will Freak You Out A Bit!

“This is cake walk” and “he is a basket case” are common phrases that we use almost every second day. But little did we know that these sayings had an origin of their own and quite creepy ones at that. 

After we course through these origins, we wonder if we will look at these phrases differently but we will definitely be reminded of the way they came into being. Let’s look at 10 commonly used phrases that sprung into life from the depths of creepiness.

1. Blood is thicker than water

wikipedia

Its meaning today: Family always comes first

Its origin: It can be traced back to Middle Eastern traditions where men sliced themselves and blended their blood for a ritual, hence becoming “blood brothers”. Alternatively, the phrase also refers back to the eras of war where men bled together and formed a bond of “blood brothers” that was considered stronger than that of biological relationships. 

2. Skeleton in the closet

life-giving water

Its meaning today: The secrets you hold from your past

Its origin: A theory suggests that in the 18th century, doctors hid illegally obtained cadavers in their closets which they used for carrying out experiments. 

3. Paying through the nose

hediyemen

Its meaning today: Paying an exorbitant price for something

Its origin: In the 9th century Ireland, the Danish-Vikings introduced a census poll tax which everyone had to adhere to. If anyone failed to pay up, their nose would be slit, right from its centre to the tip of the eyebrow. 

4. Saved by the Bell

wordpress

Its meaning today: To be freed from an awkward or unwanted situation

Its origin: In the 18th and the 19th century, people used what were called ‘safety coffins’ to prevent people from being buried alive because some found it difficult to differentiate between the dead and the unconscious. These coffins were fixed with chords that were attached to a bell outside the grave. So, if someone ever woke up to find themselves buried, they would ring the bell and be saved by a watchman who would dig them up!

5. Frog in your throat

strangecosmos

Its meaning today: A dry, raspy throat caused by cold or flu

Its origin: In the Middle Ages, if someone suffered from an illness such as the flu, the doctors would literally stuff their mouths with frogs! They believed that the frogs would absorb the disease from the patient’s body, leaving them good as new.

6. To run amok

the sun

Its meaning today: To behave in an out-of-control manner

Its origin: The Malaysian tribes-folk would go ‘amoq’ – in their language, this word described a situation where men would go on a riot under the influence of opium and killed anyone they came across. 

7. Bite the bullet

past & present

Its meaning today: Deciding to do something difficult or unpleasant

Its origin: During the times of war, doctors didn’t have access to anesthesia. In such a situation, they asked their patients to bite down on materials like leather straps or bullets to help them get distracted during painful procedures. 

8. Fly off the handle

getty images

Its meaning today: To lose your anger unexpectedly

Its origin: This idiom goes back to a reference to axes. In earlier times, axes came with poorly fastened heads. So anyone using them for chopping, the heads would get separated and fly off in different directions.

9. Cat got your tongue?

wonderopolis

Its meaning today: A question addressed to someone who maintains inexplicable silence

Its origin: The phrase is linked to two different origin stories. The first one refers back ancient Egypt where people found guilty of blasphemy would get their tongues chopped off which were fed to cats. The second theory refers to a whip used by English Naval officers – called the cat-o-nine tails – that beat their victims speechless.

10. Rake over the coals

community table parade

Its meaning today: To severely scold someone for no fault of theirs

Its origin: In the Middle Ages, in Europe, people were raked across hot coals if they were found guilty of practicing witchcraft. Those who survived were proved innocent, however, those who couldn’t were deemed guilty.