5 common phrases with historical origin

5 common phrases with historical origin

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In today's world, we build on the general history of everything that comes before us.

So it's no surprise that when you delve into what we say every day, you'll find that many of them have quite an interesting historical origin.

Whether it is ancient history, or more modern history, the language we speak today owes much to those who said it before us.

Close, but no cigars

I've always thought this came from the failed CIA assassination of Fidel Castro, where they tried to stick some exploding cigars into him that would make his head explode when he lit a fire

Since the CIA has failed to put cigars in Castro's possession, I have always assumed this is where it came from: closed but no cigars.

However, I made a big mistake when I found out this weekend.

It dates back to the 1800s and more specifically, from travel fairs and festivals that were popular across America at this time.

Back then, the prizes for games in the fair were not cute big cakes, but good cigars or bottles of whiskey.

So when you get to one of these fairs, let's say, the coconut is shy, and you almost knock that tall and majestic coconut off its pedestal but just slip it, then people

Give Someone Cold Shoulder

Everyone has heard about giving someone a cold shoulder, they basically just ignore or make them feel unwelcome.

This saying goes back to the early 1800s and comes from serving a meal to your guests.

However, if the guest is not welcome, just serve them a portion of cold shoulder meat - be it pork, beef or lamb.

The shoulder is known to be the toughest part of the animal and is therefore the lowest part to use as a meal.

By giving your uninvited guest a piece of uncooked ham, they will understand that they are not exactly welcome.

Blockbuster

Now I'm not talking about the old habit of borrowing a DVD from the store to return it later (if you're young, the DVD is basically Netflix, except for a movie, but on disc, not on the internet).

The term "Blockbuster" is used to describe high-budget, high-grossing movies.

However, the term is derived from a World War II bomb used by the RAF.

The "Block Buster" was what the Germans began calling a British bomb capable of reducing a city block into ruin - and that's exactly what it did to many German cities in

Almost immediately, the term "Blockbuster" began to be coined to describe literally anything "big and interesting".

After the Second World War ended, the term continued to be used, much more in description of movies.

So there you have it, a combination of aerial bombardment and movie commercials!

Ice break

This is the one that has a pretty literal explanation.

To break the ice, its origins go back to the saying "creating a path for others to follow", which basically means "establishing a comfortable relationship in social awkward situations.

Like when you were on a secluded day for the company and the censor made you all laugh like a way to break the ice.

So the saying itself comes from navigation ships specially designed for icy waters, which will go ahead of the probe and break the ice with their reinforced bows, creating

Drawing Red Town

I LOVE this quote!

“Paint the town red” is a way of saying you'll have a good night and that's exactly where it comes from.

Back in 1837, the Marquis of Waterford and his sons were having a madness in the town of Melton Mowbray, England.

Now, the Marquis is a famous prankster and is always looking for some hijinks - especially since he already has a few.

So, on this particular night, the Marquis and his companions.

The marquis and the boys found some red paint, so they painted an entire red toll booth, along with a statue of a swan, and then many of the town's front doors.

Just like in the legend, the Marquis returned any damage to the town, but since then this quote has become an abbreviation for wild night outing!

So you have it, five really cool quotes with five really cool basic stories.

Now the next time you chat with your friends and they use one of the above phrases, you can look incredibly smart letting them know where it came from!