25 Popular Idioms and Phrases with Hidden Origins and Meanings Behind Them

The English language is a rich tapestry of expressions that color our daily conversations. Some of these phrases are so embedded in our vernacular that we use them without a second thought, often oblivious to the fascinating histories and hidden meanings behind them. Be it a piece of cake, a wild goose chase, or being caught red-handed – these idioms add flavor to our dialogues and offer a glimpse into the cultural history of the language.

Delving into the roots of these common expressions is like embarking on a linguistic adventure. Each idiom carries a story from the past, reflecting societal norms, historical events, or age-old traditions. This journey into the world of idioms opens up a new perspective on our everyday language, revealing how our ancestors used words and phrases to capture the essence of their experiences.

“Drinking the Kool-Aid”

Let’s kick things off with a rather dark phrase that seems innocent, even playful on its surface. “Drinking the Kool-Aid” became a famous phrase after one of the most infamous massacres in history.

Cult leader Jim Jones devised a murder-suicide plan in November of 1978. He instructed his followers, who were members of his Peoples Temple “organization,” to drink punch-like drink laced with cyanide. More than 900 people died (including over 200 children). Jones then shot himself. The tragic incident is known as The Jonestown Massacre. This is the origin of the phrase.

“Long Time, No See”

We take the idiom “long time, no see” to be a greeting spoken to a friend or acquaintance with whom one has not spent time in a while. The phrase was first recorded in 1900 in two different sources. From either origin, the phrase is a mockery of Indigenous Americans or Asian Americans’ “broken English.”

“Eenie Meenie Minie Mo…”

Most of us grew up playing “Eenie meenie minie mo,” a rhyming game used to pick a team captain or the person tagging whom. While the words we used as kids generally included catching a “tiger by its toe,” they were very different decades ago. This rhyme has been used since the early 1800s, and the most popular version in the United States included the n-word instead of “tiger.” Yikes!

“The Paddy Wagon”

Large police vans, wagons, or other vehicles have been commonly called “paddy wagons” since the early 1800s. In the UK, “paddy” was short for “patrol wagon.” However, in the US, it was used in a more sinister fashion. Decades ago, waves of Irish immigrants were finding their footing in the US; paddy was a common derogatory term for them. Due to stereotypes of Irish immigrants being drunken and disorderly, the term took off.

“Basketcase”

Calling someone a “basketcase” today isn’t all that nice, but the origin of this term is worse. In common vernacular, a basketcase refers to an individual who is confused and whose brain is a mess. The word was first recorded during WWI in 1919. Then, it referred to fallen American soldiers, specifically those wounded so extensively that what was left of their bodies arrived home in baskets.

“Sold Down River”

Today, when someone says, “he sold me down the river,” someone has betrayed another’s trust. As with many of these phrases and idioms, there’s a sordid history behind it. During the time of slavery, the Mississippi River was a major way to transport the enslaved and sell them across the South. We’re going to think twice before ever using this one again.

Moronic

Eugenics is a pseudoscience rooted in racism. Henry H. Goddard was one of the “pioneers” of its application, and he claimed that he could create a “more desirable” population using methods that looked at certain physical traits to decide who should be able to reproduce.

According to Stacker, Goddard coined the term “moron” to refer to someone “feeble-minded.” His views took hold and would gain him access to immigrants trying to make a home in the US as they passed through Ellis Island. Through his screening process, 40% of immigrants of Jewish, Italian, or Hungarian descent were denied access to the US and deported because, in his view, the were moronic.

“Stop Being Hysterical”

Ah, now for some sexism. Women and girls are subject to a host of sexist characterizations, often being called “crazy” or “hysterical” any time they show a scintilla of emotion. Folks, let’s retire hysterical. This term was coined in 1801 and is believed to come from medical Latin, referencing a woman who experienced a neurotic state due to a dysfunctional uterus. There’s no male equivalent to it!

“Reached a Tipping Point”

One reaches “a tipping point” when they’ve had enough and hit their limit. It’s a phrase with a hidden and unsavory meaning.

After the end of segregation and before the use of the term “white flight,” which describes white families leaving their neighborhoods when Black families began to move in the 1950s and ’60s, “tipping point” was used.

“Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear”

Many of us grew up with the rhyme that many of us assumed described a teddy bear. “Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear. Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair. Now, Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy, was he?” What could be wrong with this sweet sentiment?

Rudyard Kipling is a celebrated writer, but most overlook his colonialist views and outright racism. In his 1892 poem “Fuzzy Wuzzy,” he cheered on British soldiers fighting in Colonial Sudan. He uses the term “fuzzy wuzzy” to describe the texture of the hair of the African tribes the British were trying to eradicate.

Gypped

This term has been so embedded in our collective vocabulary that many do not know its true meaning or origin. When someone has been “gypped,” they have been robbed or swindled. This comes from the racist term Gypsy, a reference to the nomadic Roma or Romani people who migrated from India to Europe. The stereotype is that nomadic people are thieves.

“The Itis”

“The Itis” has been used for decades as a phrase that means that someone has eaten too much food to the point of needing to take a nap or just feeling too full to move. This is another phrase with a dark history. It originated from the derogatory term “n—–itis,” a slur that plays on the stereotype of people being lazy.

“Paying Through the Nose”

Now for some violence. “Paying through the nose” means a person feels overcharged for a product or service. While the exact origin is unclear, what is agreed on is that it refers to a practice that was once very common. A person would slit another person’s nose from tip to top with a knife if they failed to pay taxes.

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“A Cakewalk”

Many of us who participated in “cakewalks” recall a game similar to musical chairs, but it’s more of a game of chance than anything else. The goal is to win a cake. The low stakes in such a competition have made it synonymous with easy victories.

The history of cakewalks can be traced to slavery when plantation owners hosted contests in which enslaved people would compete for an elaborate cake. Eventually, dancing became part of the equation, making the cakewalk more of a celebration. Later, white people began duplicating the dances in disgusting minstrel shows.

“Riding (or Calling) Shotgun!”

“Riding shotgun” or “calling shotgun,” refers to a person who has reserved the coveted front passenger seat in a car. In the time of stagecoaches, riding shotgun meant you were seated next to the driver with a shotgun, prepared to ward off robbers.

“The Peanut Gallery”

During vaudeville theater performances, the section with the cheapest seats (those furthest from the stage and usually on the second level) was called the “peanut gallery.” Today, the phrase refers to unsolicited advice. There was a stereotype about those who could only afford to sit in the peanut gallery as being disruptive during shows and that’s how its meaning evolved to today.

But there’s a sadder history here. Often, theaters were segregated, and Black patrons were forced to sit in the less desirable section. The slave trade brought peanuts from Africa to Europe, America, and beyond, thus, the association.

Ordering “The Jimmies”

Unless you are from the east coast, you likely have never heard the phrase “gimme the Jimmies.” At many ice cream shops, “could request “gimme the Jimmies” meant ice cream topped with chocolate sprinkles. The name of these sweet treats likely comes from James Bartholomew, who ran the first sprinkle machine.

“Cat Got Your Tongue?”

Generally, “Cat got your tongue?” is asked when a person is silent when a response is expected. The question is usually delivered with plenty of snark. The origin of the phrase is not cute. The Royal Navy used a cat-o’-nine-tails (a type of whip or flogging device) to beat people into silence or submission. At the time, the whip was referred to as the cat.

“Grandfathered In”

The phrase “grandfathered in” has deep historical roots in the United States, dating back to the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. The term originated from laws passed in several Southern states, known as “grandfather clauses.” These laws stipulated that a man could only vote if his grandfather had been eligible to vote before 1867. This was a covert way of preventing African American men from voting, as their grandfathers were almost universally enslaved and thus ineligible to vote.

Over time, the term has evolved to mean an exemption from a new law or regulation due to pre-existing circumstances or conditions. Despite its common usage today in various contexts, it’s essential to remember the phrase’s origins in racially discriminatory practices.

“Paint the Town Red”

The phrase “painting the town red” is commonly used to describe a wild night out, usually involving some degree of revelry and debauchery. This idiom has a colorful history, dating back to the mid-19th century. The most popular theory about its origin relates to an infamous event in 1837. The Marquis of Waterford, a known troublemaker, led a group of friends on a night of extreme mischief in Melton Mowbray, England.

Their antics included literally painting the town’s tollgate, several homes, and a swan statue with red paint. The phrase then gained traction throughout the English-speaking world, symbolizing a spree of wild or reckless behavior. Despite its rowdy origins, the term is now often used light-heartedly to describe having a good time.

“Deadline”

The term “deadline” has a compelling and somewhat morbid history. Its origins can be traced back to the American Civil War in the 19th century, where it held a much more dangerous meaning. The term was used to refer to a line that prisoners of war were not supposed to cross; if they did, they would be shot dead, hence the term ‘deadline.’

Later, in the early 20th century, ‘deadline’ was used in the printing industry to denote a line on a cylindrical printing press beyond which text could not be printed. However, the modern usage of the term “deadline,” referring to a time limit by which something must be completed, emerged in the 1920s in American English newspaper jargon. Today, it’s an integral part of our vocabulary, especially in professional contexts.

“Hooligans”

The word “hooligan” has a rich history, dating back to the late 19th century. It first appeared in London police-court reports in 1894, identifying a gang in the Lambeth area of London known as the Hooligan Boys. The term’s origins are unknown, but it quickly found its way into British newspapers by the summer of 1898. Initially, “hooligan” referred to a young ruffian or member of a street gang, often associated with unruly male youth groups. Some theories suggest that it might have originated from “Hooley,” an Irish word for a wild party. Over time, the definition of “hooligan” has evolved and broadened to represent anyone involved in disruptive or violent behavior, particularly in the context of sports like football.

“Off the Reservation”

The phrase “off the reservation” has its roots in the history of the United States, specifically in relation to Native American tribes and the U.S. government’s policies in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The term was originally used to describe Native Americans who had strayed or been forced off the lands that were specifically designated to them by the government, known as reservations. During this era, it was often used negatively to refer to individuals who were seen as disobedient or defiant of rules and regulations.

Over time, the phrase has been generalized and used in broader contexts to describe someone acting independently or outside expected or established norms. However, given its historical context, some consider it a racially insensitive term.

“Bugger Off”

If you’ve consumed any British media over the last twenty years, you have likely read or heard someone say “bugger off!” The term “bugger” has a complex and contentious history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from “Bulgarus,” a Medieval Latin term for “a Bulgarian.” During this era, it was used to label heretics, specifically a sect believed to have come from Bulgaria that was accused of engaging in sodomy. By the 1550s, the term had evolved to directly denote a sodomite. In British slang, “bugger” has further evolved to refer to a despicable or contemptible person, or an annoying or troublesome thing or situation.

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“Stop Being a Spaz”

The term “spaz” has a long history, with its roots in medical terminology. It is a shortened version of “spastic,” which was historically used to describe people with spastic paralysis, a condition that affects muscle tone and control. The word “spastic” itself originates from the Latin “spasticus” and Greek “spastikos,” both of which literally mean “spasms.” The term “spaz,” denoting “a person affected with spastic paralysis,” was first attested in 1896, and by the 1960s, it had taken on an insulting connotation. While its usage varies between American and British English contexts, it’s generally considered ableist language today as it mocks individuals with certain physical disabilities.

Language is an ever-evolving entity, reflecting the culture and history of its speakers. Idioms and phrases add depth and richness to our conversations, offering more than just literal meanings. They are the linguistic equivalents of heirlooms, passed down through generations, each carrying a slice of history and a story of its own. As we wrap up this exploration of popular idioms, let’s remember that every phrase we use is a testament to the power of language – to express, to connect, and to encapsulate experiences that transcend time and geography.

If you enjoyed this look at common phrases, let’s discover the weird things people in the UK say that are a mystery to Americans.

Discover the Most Unique British Words and Phrases Below!

Yonks

Yonks – a long span of time, ages. Example: “I haven’t seen you for yonks.” This one will likely throw Americans because there’s not a word really like in common use in the USA and it sounds a lot like “Yanks.” This one was first found in print in 1960 and a theory as to how it began is that it’s an abbreviation of years, months, and weeks.

Wanker

Wanker – A term that is of uncertain origin. It literally refers to masturbation but it is commonly used as an insult (almost exclusively for men) that describes an unpleasant, rude, and pretentious jerk. Example: “I really dislike that wanker.”

Wally

Wally – An insult that is synonymous with fool. It likely derived from London and Essex slang for a large pickle. So, you can think of it as calling someone a gherkin. Example: “Ernest is such a wally, I have no idea how he keeps his job.”

Twee

Twee – Twee is a term that’s going out of style in the UK but you’ll still hear it used among older generations. It refers to something or someone that is overly dainty and small. It is thought to have come from baby speak for “sweet.” Example: “He’s such a twee little boy that I bet he could fit in my pocket.”

Tatties

Tatties (commonly used in Scotland) – A fun term for potatoes used like “taters” in the US. The traditional accompaniment to Scotland’s infamous haggis is tatties and neeps, meaning potatoes and turnips (meaning yellow turnips, or rutabagas). Example: “I’d like an order of tatties and neeps.”

Tamping

Tamping (commonly used in Wales) – Meaning extremely annoyed or hopping mad. It likely derives from another Welsh sense of the word meaning to bounce a ball up and down. Or, it could be a play on the formal definition of the term: The act of one who tamps; specifically, the act of filling up a hole in a rock, or the branch of a mine, with earth, sand, or similar material in order to contain and direct explosive force meant to blast the rock or collapse the mine. Example: “I’m so over it, I’m tamping.”

Swot

Swot – A descriptor for studying hard. Swotting means cramming for an exam or test. A swot is someone who studies very hard. If you think this word looks and sounds a lot like “sweat,” you’d be correct. The British word comes from Old English and is related to “swat” and “sweat.” Example: “You should swot up on your German before traveling to Berlin.”

Stroppy

Stroppy – An adjective that means difficult to deal with. It comes from the word obstreperous which means stubborn and disobedient. Example: “His kids are stroppy and unruly.” In addition to the UK, you’ll also find this one in use in New Zealand and Australia.

Spanner

Spanner – A wrench, likely related to the word “spin.” The British equivalent of our phrase “to throw a monkey wrench in the works” (meaning: to do something that stops a plan from succeeding) is “to throw a spanner in the works.” John Lennon gave one of his books of poems and drawings the punning title “A Spaniard in the Works.” The cover featured him in a flamenco hat and bullfighter’s cape brandishing a wrench, a reference to the term.

Shirty

Shirty – Agitated, rude, or short-tempered. Probably because someone in a rage could be said to “get one’s shirt out,” while you might also calm a person by saying “Keep your shirt on.” Example: “Why is he so shirty today?” This British phrase will likely throw Americans as it will be confused with a “sh—y.” So, not far off but still a bit different!

Scrummy

Scrummy – For fans of the Great British Bake Off, the term scrummy is likely familiar. The hosts commonly use it to describe the delicious baked goods they enjoy. Scrummy comes from the word scrumptious. It obviously means yummy but also describes a thing that’s enjoyable. Example: “This cake is scrummy and I will be having a second slice.”

Scheme

Scheme – Not something sneaky and underhanded as the term is used in the US, but a plan for accomplishing something. Example: “The gas company’s new scheme to improve the power grid seems smart.” This is one of the British words that has a completely different connotation in the UK versus the US. Don’t think they’re discussing a bunch of sneaky plans over there!

Pukka

Pukka – A descriptor that means genuine or of top quality. Also a reference to hoity-toity. From a Hindi word meaning mature, substantial, ripe, and excellent. This is a real fun one that is virtually unheard of in the US. Example: “This is one pukka glass of Pinot Noir.”

Pear-Shaped

Pear-shaped – A term that means disastrous. To “go pear-shaped” is to go wrong, as a battle plan, a dinner party, or a business meeting. Originally Royal Air Force slang, of uncertain origin. In the US, you might hear a woman refer to her body as pear-shaped but in the UK it’s a totally different thing. Example: “All of a sudden, the scheme really went pear-shaped.”

Naff

Naff – A descriptor meaning uncool, unfashionable, or worthless. Telling someone to naff off means to tell them to go away. Example 1: “Socks and sandals are naff.” Example 2: “Nack off back to the hole you crawled out of.”

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Minging

Minging – A term that means stinky or foul. Also, used like “very minging (stinking) drunk.” “Ming” was an old Scottish term for human excrement and also as a descriptor for like stinking. Example: “The public toilets in the British Museum are minging today.”

Legless

Legless – A term used to describe someone who is very, very drunk. Its meaning comes from the concept of being too drunk to stand up. Example: “After her fourth drink of the night, she was pretty legless in the pub.” It’s one of the British words that we feel would fit right in among Americans today.

Knock Up

Knock up – In the US, this is generally taken to mean “pregnant,” like “She got knocked up and he better put a ring on it.” It’s got a completely different meaning in the UK. There, it’s used to mean to knock on someone’s door or window to awaken them. It’s a very old phrase that originated at a time when alarm clocks had not been invented yet. The knock was the alarm clock. Example: “Drop round Peter’s house at five in the morning for a knock up.”

Knees-Up

Knees-up – A term derived from the song “Knees Up Mother Brown” (from at least 1918; published 1938). Suggesting the motions of dancing. Knees-up typically refers to a party with lots of dancing involved. Example: “We had a bit of a knees-up late into the night.”

Knackered

Knackered – A term that means exhausted, worn out, or in a weakened state. Probably from the sense of a “knacker” which was a term for a person who slaughtered tired or sick horses and sold them for dog food. Not the best history but part of the British past. Example: “After working 15 hours today, I’m knackered.”

Kip

Kip – A British term that refers to a nap or snooze, or a night of sleep in a place away from home. Probably from the Danish kippe, meaning a hut or an alehouse. Example: “I put the baby down for a kip an hour ago.”

Jumper

Jumper – In the US, this only refers to a person who is in the act of jumping. For the British and others around the UK, it refers to a sweater. The term originated as a term for a kind of hip-length jacket worn by manual laborers. Example: “It’s getting cold outside, go grab your jumper to keep warm.”

Hob

Hob – A term for the burner on a stove, possibly related to “hub,” as the round central part of a wheel. It can also mean the top of any cooking surface on a cooker; a cooktop. It typically comprises several cooking elements (often four), also known as “rings.” “It’s time for tea so put the kettle on the hob.”

Gormless

Gormless – A descriptor for someone without a clue, lacking good sense or discernment. From “gome,” an archaic dialect term for attention or care.  Example: “He’s a gormless fool who couldn’t get a clue even if it was handed to him.”

Goonie

Goonie (commonly used in Scotland) – A British/Scottish slang term for a nightgown. The word is used almost exclusively in Scotland, and nobody seems to know where it comes from. In the US, we associate the term with “goon” meaning a henchman or bad actor. But, in Scotland, it’s a thing you sleep in. Example: “Let me go slip into my goonie before bed.”

Gobsmacked

Gobsmacked – A term that means flabbergasted, stunned, left speechless with amazement. “Gob” is an old Celtic term for “a beak,” and by extension, mouth. Something gobsmacking hits you in the teeth, metaphorically. Example: “The news left her gobsmacked.” You’ll hear this British term used rarely in the US but it’s not completely unheard of.

Gaff

Gaff – Among many other meanings, gaff can mean home, an apartment, or a pad. This probably derives from the 18th-century sense of the word as a fair or music hall. In the US, this one would likely get confused with a gaffe (meaning a faux pas). Example: “We’re going round to Jeff’s gaff later to watch the footie.”

Duff

Duff – A term for something worthless or not genuine. The word may come from “duffer,” meaning a peddler, especially one selling counterfeit goods, or an incompetent or clumsy person (especially true for those on the golf course). The term may be the source of the name of Homer Simpson’s favorite drink, Duff Beer. Example: “The autographed photo turned out to be duff.”

Dog’s Dinner

Dog’s dinner – A descriptor for a real mess or serious confusion. Another way of saying it is “dog’s breakfast.” Example 1: “The party last night turned into a dog’s dinner.” Example 2: “He was dressed up like a dog’s dinner.” This British slang is virtually unknown in the US but we think it could work here!

Cuppa

Cuppa – A term for a cup of tea. If someone asks if you “fancy a cuppa,” they’re asking if you’d like a cuppa (cup of) tea. Example: “Fancy a cuppa with your biscuits?” This British term is not limited to use in the UK, you will find it in just about all British Commonwealth Nations, except for Canada.

Codswallop

Codswallop – A term for a load of nonsense or baloney. The origin is uncertain but might have something to do with a colloquial, primarily Scottish, meaning of the word “wallop,” meaning to flop about or wobble. In that case, perhaps “cod” is the fish of the same name, and the reference is to the ultimately futile movements of a freshly caught fish on the deck of a boat. Hogswallop is also commonly used in the same manner. Example: “The British authorities fed the public codswallop about the politician.”

This can also be used as a term for nonsensical speech or as a way to express disbelief.

Clanger

Clanger – A term for a mistake or social faux pas, presumably related to the noise something heavy might make when it hits the ground. “To drop a clanger” is to make an embarrassing mistake. Example: “In his speech, the best man got the bride’s name wrong. What a clanger!”

Chuffed

Chuffed – A happy term meaning pleased, delighted, and happy. The term is of military origin, probably related to an old dialect word for swollen or chubby. Confusingly, “chuffed” can also sometimes mean displeasing. So, feel things out before dropping this British word. Example: “Mary was chuffed after winning the game.” It’s one British word we’d love to hear more often.

Chopsy

Chopsy (commonly heard in Wales) – A descriptor meaning cheeky or overly chatty. A term used mostly in the Welsh capital, Cardiff.  Example: “I sat next to chopsy man on the train this morning and I’m still not over it.”

Buck eejit

Buck eejit (commonly heard in Northern Ireland) – Eejit means idiot. “Buck eejit” is sometimes used endearingly for friends or loved ones who are silly and good-humored. Some of these British terms are easy to understand but for most Americans, this is one that will likely sound downright exotic. Example: “I love that Buck eejit.”

Breeks

Breeks (commonly heard in Scotland) – In the singular, originally a garment covering the loins and thighs. Now used only in the plural to mean “trousers” (probably from the same words as “breeches” or “britches”). Example: “Will you come shopping with me because I need new breeks?”

Bonnet

Bonnet – A term with many meanings, most of them having to do with headgear, but also the hood of a car. To be “on it like a car bonnet” means to have the situation under control. Where we use “hood,” the British use bonnet. Example: “There is smoke coming from under the bonnet.”

Banjaxed

Banjaxed (commonly heard in Northern Ireland) – A colorful term that means destroyed or confounded or tired. The origins of the term are unknown, but it doesn’t seem to have been used until the 1950s. Does Northern Ireland have the best words? We’d say banjaxed is pretty rewarding to say! Example 1: “The car was banjaxed after the bonnet flew off.” Example 2: “I’m banjaxed after the pub last night.”

Arse Over Elbow

Arse over elbow – “Arse” is a Briticism for one’s rear end. Arse over elbow is how you might end up after a few too many pints in the local pub. It can mean to clumsily fall, to be stupid, or a variety of other meanings but almost always in connection with too much drinking. Example: “She was arse over elbow last night at her hen do (bachelorette party).”

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Anorak

Anorak – A term for an article of clothing, a short weather-proof hooded jacket or parka (the term is borrowed from the Inuit of Greenland) – but also a nerd, someone obsessed with a boring, niche hobby, like watching planes or being obsessed with soccer statistics. Anoraks have a lot of pockets for holding notebooks, pens, etc. that such people would use. Example: “I could not suffer another minute of that anorak talking about trains.”

There you go! We hope you learned more about some common British phrases and words. They are just so fun, and it’s wild how differently Americans speak!