Unexpected Origins of Common Phrases

Ever wondered why we say 'break the ice' or 'raining cats and dogs'? These everyday phrases have wild origins! 'Break the ice' comes from the 16th-century practice of smashing ice to clear the way for trading ships. And 'raining cats and dogs'? In 17th-century England, heavy rains would sweep along street animals, leading people to believe it was literally raining pets! Next, 'butter someone up' hails from an ancient Indian custom of throwing balls of butter at statues of gods to seek favor. And ever used 'bite the bullet'? Before anesthesia, soldiers bit on bullets during surgery to cope with the pain. Finally, 'let the cat out of the bag' has a sneaky start from medieval markets, where farmers would sell piglets in bags. Unscrupulous sellers would swap pigs for cats, and the scam was exposed when the cat was let out! These quirky phrases highlight how history shapes our daily lingo. What’s your favorite fun fact about a phrase?