 Everyday Phrases With Surprising Origins

Common phrases hide strange beginnings. Let’s uncover how ordinary sayings came from unusual places in history.

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Before anesthesia, soldiers literally bit bullets during surgery to endure pain. Today, it means facing something tough.

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In old trading days, ships broke frozen rivers to allow passage. Now, it simply means easing tension in conversation.

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Not from boxing! In the 17th century, safety bells were built into coffins to rescue people mistakenly buried alive.

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In ancient Greece, votes were cast with beans. Spilling them revealed secrets early—hence today’s meaning of exposing the truth.

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Admiral Nelson ignored orders by raising a telescope to his blind eye. Now, it means pretending not to notice something.

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In old trading days, ships broke frozen rivers to allow passage. Now, it simply means easing tension in conversation.

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