We toss them into conversations all the time without a second thought—those quirky little phrases that everyone seems to understand. But when you stop and think about them, they can sound downright odd. Raining cats and dogs? Pigs flying? Pots and kettles having arguments? It makes you wonder: who came up with this stuff?
Let’s take a peek at some of the most common sayings, where they came from, and why we’re still using them.
Pot Calling the Kettle Black
This one goes back to the 1600s, when pots and kettles were made of cast iron and turned black over open flames. If a pot complained about the kettle being sooty—well, that was the height of hypocrisy. Today it’s used the same way: accusing someone of a fault you share yourself. Or, in modern terms, a classic case of “projection.” (Think: your messy friend telling you to clean your car.)
Six of One, Half Dozen of Another
This simply means two options that are basically the same. Whether you call it six or half a dozen, it’s still six. Handy for those “debates” where the outcome is a tie and everyone secretly wasted five minutes.
Having Kittens
Originally used in the 1600s to describe being in great distress, this phrase has softened over time. Now it’s more like, “I nearly had kittens when I saw my phone bill!” Still dramatic, but at least you don’t need a litter box.
Cost an Arm and a Leg
The exact origin is fuzzy, but it took hold in the mid-20th century. One theory is that painted portraits charged more if arms and legs were included—faces being cheaper. Whether or not that’s true, the phrase stuck to mean “very expensive.” Thankfully, cashiers today don’t actually ask for body parts.
Crying Over Spilled Milk
A proverb from the 1600s reminding us not to worry about things we can’t change. Once the milk’s spilled, it’s gone. (Unless it’s chocolate milk, in which case—yes, go ahead and cry a little.)
A Dime a Dozen
In the early 1800s, some goods were so cheap you could buy twelve for ten cents. These days, a dime buys you almost nothing—so the saying sticks around to mean “plentiful and not very special.”
Cutting Corners
Straight out of the construction world: cutting across the corners made jobs faster but sloppier. Figuratively, it’s still the same—skipping steps, saving time, and usually ending up with something you’ll regret.
Hit the Sack
This comes from the early 1900s when mattresses were literally sacks stuffed with hay. Saying “hit the sack” meant exactly what it sounds like—going to bed. Thankfully, our beds have improved, though the phrase has stuck.
By the Skin of Your Teeth
A vivid phrase from the Book of Job in the Bible, meaning to escape by the narrowest of margins. Because, as you may have noticed, teeth don’t actually have skin.
Curiosity Killed the Cat
First recorded as “care killed the cat” in the 1500s (meaning worry or sorrow could do you in), it eventually shifted to “curiosity.” Today it’s the classic warning not to be too nosy—though, to be fair, cats never really listened anyway.
Cut the Mustard
Likely from the late 1800s, this means “to meet expectations” or “to be up to standard.” Why mustard? Probably because it’s sharp and spicy. (Notice they didn’t say “cut the mayonnaise.” Doesn’t have quite the same zing, does it?)
The Early Bird Catches the Worm
This 1600s proverb says that if you show up early, you reap the rewards. Of course, the worm would argue it’s better to sleep in.
Raining Cats and Dogs
One rather grim theory is that in 17th-century England, heavy rain sometimes washed dead animals into the streets—hence, raining “cats and dogs.” Thankfully today we use it just to mean a heavy downpour, and not a veterinary emergency.
Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
A lesson from Aesop’s fables: don’t assume success before it happens. Translation: don’t spend your bonus until it’s actually in your bank account.
When Pigs Fly
Used since the 1600s to highlight something impossible or absurd. Still popular today—though with modern technology, I wouldn’t be shocked if someone somewhere is already working on pig-sized jetpacks.
In the End…
Sayings like these stick around because they paint such vivid pictures—and they add flavour to our conversations. Sure, they might sound ridiculous when you really think about them, but that’s half the fun.
So, the next time you’re tempted to cry over spilled milk, cut the mustard, or wait for pigs to fly, you’ll know exactly why you’re saying it. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll smile at the strange, wonderful journey our words have taken before landing in everyday speech.
And, as Tigger would say, “TTFN – Ta-ta for now!”