Have we always understood Sayings and Meanings or known where they came from? Take for example the saying: ‘A different kettle of fish’. As we know for the most part, this means saying or describing something in an entirely different sense right after talking about the same subject. It also means you are talking about something which is not related to the topic you are asked to speak about.
While ‘a different kettle of fish’ is common, ‘another kettle of fish’ gives the same meaning. A kettle of fish often means mixture or confusion. The phrase originated from the United Kingdom and is traced back to being mentioned in Thomas Newte’s ‘A Tour in England and Scotland’ published in 1785.
Many of us have ‘barked up the wrong tree’ at times. The origin of the idiom ‘barking up the wrong tree’ dates back to early 1800s America, when hunting with packs of dogs was very popular. The term was used literally at first, when wily prey animals such as raccoons would trick dogs into believing they were up a certain tree when in fact they had escaped. Thus, dogs barking at the base of an empty tree were said to be “barking up the wrong tree.”
When you use the expression ‘A Chip on Your Shoulder’ you mean someone has a perceived grievance. An interesting fact about ‘A Chip on Your Shoulder’ – the origin of the phrase refers to a practice seen in America during the 19th century, in which boys spoiling for a fight would place an actual chip of wood on their shoulders before walking around belligerently daring others to knock the chip off.
WHO SAID a watched pot never boils? ‘A watched pot never boils’ was coined by Poor Richard, which was the pseudonym used by Benjamin Franklin in his annual almanac.
Better late than never. This is first recorded in English around 133 and is probably of ancient Roman origin. The phrase “but better never late” is sometimes added or said in response to the proverb: I forgot Mary’s birthday! Should I send her a gift anyway? – Sure, better late than never. – But better never late.
‘It takes two to tango’ was popularized as the title of a song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning in 1952. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but we do, don’t we? The proverb was first recorded in 1929 in the form “You can’t judge a book by its binding” in the periodical “American Speech.”
Easy come, easy go was first recorded in this form in 1832, but the sentiment it expresses is of much earlier origin, occurring in Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” (around 1390). We all seem to know ‘A fool and his money are soon parted’. The proverb was first recorded in 1587 in J. Bridge’s “Defense of Government in Church of England.”
Blood is thicker than water (but sometimes it runs mighty thin). The proverb was first recorded in this form in 1813, but the sentiment it expresses is of much earlier origin. Compare the 12th-century German saying “sippeblout von wasere night verdirbet” (“kin-blood is not spoilt by water”).
The grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence). In its current form the proverb is of relatively recent origin, but the sentiment it expresses dates back to ancient times. Compare Ovid (43B.C.-A.D.18): “fertilior seges est alienis semper in agris” (“the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s fields”).
When in Rome (do as the Romans do) was first recorded around 1475, but the sentiment it expresses is of much earlier origin, and has been attributed to Saint Ambrose (around 339-A.D.97).
Honesty is the best policy The proverb was first recorded in 1605. In his “Apophthegms” (1854), the English politician, philosopher and theologian Richard Whately wrote, “Honesty is the best policy; but he who is governed by this maxim is not an honest man.”
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The proverb was first recorded in this form in the late 18th century, but the sentiment it expresses is of much earlier origin. Compare Theocritus (around 308-around 240B.C.), “in the eyes of love that which is not beautiful often seems beautiful.”
What Is the origin of the saying “Back to the Drawing Board” which means of course to return to the start when an attempt fails? The “drawing board” in this saying refers to an architect’s or draughtsman’s table, which is used to prepare designs and blueprints. The origin is well documented and can be traced back to precisely March 1, 1941. Even more specifically, the phrase was first used by the American cartoonist Peter Arno in the cartoon below, which was featured in the March 1, 1941 edition of the New Yorker magazine.
The caption reads “Well, back to the old drawing board.” The cartoon depicts a crashed military plane with the pilot having bailed out. It features uniformed military personnel running towards the plane, while the engineer, carrying a roll of blue prints under his arm, walks away to start the redesign. Arno’s caption was popularized during World War II, when many projects and missions inevitably did not work out as planned. Somewhat ironically, “back to the drawing board” often carries positive overtones in recognition of the eventual route to success being narrowed down. So now what are you now heading back to the drawing board to do???