Say What?

There are many sayings that we use that sum up exactly what we want to share but do we know where they came from?

‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ 

This famous English saying originally came from a Welsh saying that translates to “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” The saying encouraged a custom that didn’t actually extol the benefits of eating an apple, however. It was a Welsh custom to eat apples with caraway seeds, which were thought to have health benefits. Since then, however, the many health benefits of apples have been scientifically proven.Next

‘Let the cat out of the bag’ 

When someone has let the cat out of the bag, it means that they have revealed information to someone else that the latter did not previously know. The phrase’s origins are not entirely clear, but there are two possibilities. The first is that it is a reference to the cat-o’-nine-tails whip, which was used as a punishment on Royal Navy ships — a sailor informing on another sailor’s disobedience would be said to have “let the cat out of the bag.” The second common explanation refers to a common scam in which someone buying a suckling pig would actually be sold a cat instead, but would not realize this until they opened the bag they were given.

‘Scot-free’ 

The word “scot” in Old or Middle English means “tax.” As such, someone “getting off scot-free” was originally used to literally describe someone who’d gotten away with not paying their taxes.Next

‘Resting on your laurels’ 

When someone is described as resting on their laurels, it paints a picture of someone who has become complacent as a result of being overly satisfied with their achievements. In ancient Greece, laurel wreaths were a symbol of status and victory, and one would only be wearing one after having accomplished quite a bit. Once you start resting on your laurels, however, you’ve become a bit lazy and perhaps too sure of yourself to apply yourself further.

‘As pleased as Punch’ 

If you’re pleased as Punch, it has nothing to do with a drink; instead it refers to a terrible puppet character named Mr. Punch. “Punch and Judy shows,” which have been popular in England since the 17th century and are commonly found at British seaside resorts, feature short scenes in which Judy often falls victim to Punch’s physically abusive behavior. The puppet shows have declined in popularity since the second half of the 20th century, the phrase describing Punch’s gleefulness at causing havoc lives on.Next

‘Silver-tongued’ 

The term “silver-tongued” is not a reference to color or metal but rather sound. Dating back to at least the late 16th century, the use of the word “silver” here is one that is obscure to us today. Something being described as silver can mean that it has a melodious sound, such as that of ringing silver. Someone who is silver-tongued, therefore, is well-spoken and persuasive as a result.

‘It ain’t over till the fat lady sings’ 

This phrase evokes the image of the stereotypically fat soprano that closes out an opera show, specifically “Götterdämmerung”, the last of Richard Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen” cycle of operas. At the end of the show, the Valkyrie Brünnhilde — usually played by a big woman — has a 20-minute farewell scene right before the finale of the entire opera cycle. “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings” is usually meant to be encouraging, a reminder that the present circumstances do not necessarily indicate the outcome of a situation, particularly when it comes to games or sports.

That’s all for now, folks!

The fat lady has sung!