LESSON 50- Where does the expression ....come from

 1. BITTE THE BULLET

Meaning: to perform a painful task or endure an unpleasant situation

Origin: In the 1800's, patients would literally bite on a bullet to cope with the pain of having surgery before anesthesia was common. 

2. JUMP THE SHARK

Meaning: the moment when a form of entertainment reaches a decline in quality by including gimmicks to maintain interest.

Origin : In the show "Happy Days" the character Fonzie literally jumps over a shark while water skiing, afterward, radio personality Jon Hein popularized the phrase "jump the shark" to describe the decline of the show.

3. MINDING YOUR P'S AND Q'S

Meaning: to consciously ignore unwanted information

Origin: The phrase "to turn a blind eye" is said to originate with the Admiral Horatio Nelson, who allegedly looked through his telescope using his blind eye to avoid signals from his superior telling him to withdraw from battle.

* Horatio Nelson: 1758-1805 British flag officer in the Royal Navy. He was known for his inspirational leadership and strategy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic War. He is regarded one of the greatest naval commanders in history.

4. BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

Meaning: speaking to the wrong person, getting the wrong information

Dating back to the 1800's, this common phrase relates to hunting with packs of dogs.  Not too much to this one, if a dog was barking up the wrong base of the tree, the odds are the prey escaped or the dog was just incorrect.

5. KNOCK ON WOOD

Meaning: making sure what you say is safely regarded

This superstition stems from an old Pagan belief that spirits live in trees, and if you knocked on the tree, you were seeking the help from good spirits.

6. GO BANANAS

Meaning: going crazy, acting crazy

Monkeys may be our genetic brethren but they act a little crazier than humans do.  Hence the phrase "go ape" which some linguists believe led to "go bananas" as they are stereotypically the favorite snack of apes.

7. SIT TIGHT

Meaning: do not take any action

This phrase's history doesn't seem to be all that complicated: A person who is sitting literally tightly will be unmoved.  If someone asks you to sit tight, they want you to take no further action until told otherwise. 

8. MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX

Meaning: This phrase has some folklore in its history: It's believed that pioneer ladies created their candles by dipping was in their own individual cauldrons or pots.  If you didn't mind your own, you might bet burned. " minding your own business"

9. A WET BLANKET

Meaning: Someone who takes the fun out of a party/situation by not wanting to participate in the event.

The idea of a wet blanket isn't very comforting.  A wet blanket is a great tool for putting out a fire, therefore you have the phrase for someone who ruins all the fun.

10.CAT OUT OF THE BAG

Meaning: sharing information/secrets before they are expected or anticipated

The origin of the story behind this one is silly: Merchants used to sell piglets off to farms in bags.  If they were swindling their customers, they might stick a cat in there instead-the cheaper more common animal.  They wouldn't find out until the cat was out of the bag.

11. HAIR OF THE DOG

Meaning: drinking alcohol the following morning to cure a hangover from too much alcohol the night before

More popular name for a pub, "hair of the dog', is one of the oldest idioms known to man.  Some linguists say that ancient Middle Eastern texts make references to sticking dog hair to one's forehead to quell a hangover./*

12. BREAK A LEG

Meaning: To wish someone good luck immediately before a performance is a tradition for actors and dancer - later has become good luck for anyone trying some new endeavor

The phrase was used in English throughout the twentieth century.  To break the superstition, of asking for too much luck or success the reverse was imagined.