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Familiar Phrases, Idioms and Sayings

Origin and Meaning of Commonly Used Expressions

Aug 24, 2009 Elvira Nieto

Though some sayings and colloquialisms seem to be self explanatory, the original meaning behind them may differ a bit from the manner in which they are used today.

People use idioms and sayings on a daily basis yet seldom know what they mean or where they come from. Every now and then, one is heard or repeated that piques the curiosity.

Lending Personality to Language

Idioms and sayings add certain personality to language. Their meanings can sometimes be obvious as in “dead as doornail” or a little more obscure like “living high on the hog”. But even the most common, easy to understand axioms can have rather interesting beginnings.

Here are some common saying and their meanings.

Hit the Hay and Jump the Gun

“Hit the hay” – Meaning to go to bed or go to sleep, this idiom has its origin in the early part of the 1900s. It was during this time that it was common for mattresses, or sacks, to be stuffed with either hay or straw, therefore “hitting the hay” or “hitting the sack” was a literal thing.

“Jump the gun” – This is another one of those sports phrases that have infiltrated every day speech much like “toe the line” or “the ball’s in your court”. “Jumping the gun” comes from the world of track and field where the beginning of a race would be signaled by the firing of a gun. The meaning of this idiom is to do or begin something too soon with little to no preparation.

Worth One's Salt

“Worth one’s salt” – This phrase, which dates back to Roman times circa 900 B.C., means to be effective on the job or to deserve the wages worked for. Roman soldiers would be paid via a salarium which was money intended for the purchase of salt. The English word salary derives from the Latin word for “salt” which is sal.

Learning the Ropes

“Learn” or “know the ropes” – To become familiar with something new: become skilled at a new task. The colloquialism has its origin in the nautical world. A new sailor had to become acquainted with knot tying as well as handling the ropes on the individual sails. Also applicable in “teaching someone the ropes”.

Throwing the Gauntlet Down

“Throw down the gauntlet” – Meaning to issue a challenge, this expression derives from medieval times when a gauntlet (a type of heavy glove often made of chain mail or heavy leather worn by knights), would be tossed or thrown down in the proximity of a foe with the understanding that if the challenged opponent picked up or took up the gauntlet, the fight would be accepted.

A Thorn in the Flesh

"A thorn in the flesh" – This is a phrase of biblical origin which means a continuous source of difficulty or trouble. The phrase itself can be found in 2 Corinthians 12:7 where the Apostle Paul writes "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me" (NIV Version).

In just about every genre of writing, colloquialisms, axioms, and sayings will continue to be used. Learning their meanings and finding out a bit of where they stem from lends to the overall understanding of any textbook, novel, pamphlet or any other written work.

Sources:

“Origins”.Writing; Jan 2006, Vol. 28 Issue 4.
Welch, Jack. ”Rooted in Reality”. Louisville Magazine; Dec2004, Vol. 55 Issue 12, p 80-80

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