We all frequently use or hear idioms nearly every day and for the most part can interpret their meanings with ease based on the context it is used in or simply because we have heard them used before, but where do they come from? Certain idioms seem to have questionable interpretations, but when you learn about their origins, they make much more sense.
Whether the origins of all the idioms stated in this video are exactly correct is debatable, the ideas are interesting, though. I was surprised to find that so many of the common idioms we use have been around for a very long time. Considering how often our language evolves, it's nice to see some of that history preserved.
I thought one of the more interesting idioms mentioned in the video was "to bite the bullet." He said that it was likely referencing the early 1800's when patients in surgery would literally bite a bullet to help them withstand the pain of surgery without anesthesia. Now it refers to doing anything that is unpleasant.
There's many more in the video that may surprise you, so check it out! I hope you enjoy it as I did.
Ok, first off: I adore John Green. His books are fantastic and he and his brother are so smart it blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe one about "barking up the wrong tree" was funny. I can only imagine the dog's face when he realized the animal switched trees. All in all this was really interesting and I think you chose a good video.
This is great, it reminds me of that conversation we had in class for the honor students and the lists of idioms that they all had. There are so many that some of us have never heard before and some that we are unaware of their origins.
ReplyDeleteI loved this, mainly because I just love idioms. But it's always interesting to know where the heck they came from. It was awesome of him to do a lot of the ones we use and hear on a daily basis, because I'm sure many of us have wondered why we use them!
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