“Uncover the Surprising Backstories Behind 14 Common Phrases You Thought You Knew!”
9. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Medieval farmers sold piglets in bags but would sometimes sneakily swap them for less valuable cats. If the buyer opened the bag before leaving, they’d literally “let the cat out.”
Now, it’s a metaphor for revealing a secret, though thankfully, no actual cats are involved.
10. By the Skin of Your Teeth
Straight out of the Bible, this phrase appears in the Book of Job to describe a narrow escape. Apparently, even teeth have skin if you’re cutting it close enough.
These days, it’s perfect for describing those nail-biting moments when you just barely succeed.
11. Cold Shoulder
Serving someone cold meat, especially shoulder cuts, was a not-so-subtle way to show them they’d overstayed their welcome in medieval Europe.
Now, it’s more about ignoring someone entirely, but the frosty vibe remains.
12. Hands Down
In horse racing, a jockey who was so far ahead they could drop the reins was said to win “hands down.”
It’s still the go-to phrase for an easy victory, be it crushing a board game or acing an interview.
13. Costs an Arm and a Leg
In the 18th century, portrait artists charged extra for including limbs in their paintings, as they required more detail and effort.
These days, it’s a cheeky way to complain about expensive concert tickets or avocado toast.
