Phrases and sayings with meanings and origins explained. The myth dates back as far as the 14th century and comes from a book called the travels of sir john mandeville. In greek mythology thetis dipped her son achilles in the mythical river styx. What our everyday sayings and idioms figuratively mean, unlocks the surprising origins of some of our most. The whip caused so much pain that the victims were left speechless. Their origins and meanings reprint by ewart, neil isbn. However, sometimes it is impossible to say for certain how an old saying originated. Be the first to ask a question about the illustrated book of sayings. The title caught my attention right away, i enjoy learning about the origin of phrases and.
Nautical phrases ahoy there, me hearties, heres the language that came from our nautical friends. Sometimes we can only give the most likely explanation. This now famous phrase is a line from jungle book author rudyard kipling s poem the female of the species, published in 1911. Find out more about the unusual origin stories behind 10 everyday phrases.
Excellent book for anyone who likes history of words, idioms and phrases. This originates from an old english law that ordered any person to be punished for butchering an animal that wasnt his own. Frog in the throat the earliest use of this name for a sore throat. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Whats the meaning and origin of the phrase by the book. The first refers to the catoninetails a whip used by the english navy for flogging. Today it means to generally stay out of trouble, but the original phrase is actually biblical in origin. White elephants were once considered highly sacred creatures in thailandthe animal even graced the. Phrases coined by shakespeare the bard of avon, he gave us more words and expressions than anyone else. But then again, the author denies that he meant to write this as a reference book so much as a history book. Phrases from the bible the single book that has given more sayings, idioms and proverbs to the english language than any other.
The only way the person could be convicted is if he was caught with the animals blood still on his hands. There are two possible sources for this common short saying. You probably use tons of expressions, idioms, and slang phrases every. The phrase turn a blind eyeoften used to refer to a willful refusal to acknowledge a particular. She grew up with her nose stuck in a book almost every day.