The Stories Behind Our Words: 20 Common Phrases Explained

OK

Perhaps the most recognised word on the planet, OK has a surprisingly mundane origin . Most linguists agree that it began as part of a comical abbreviation fad in 1830s Boston, where newspapers would playfully misspell phrases and reduce them to initials. "OK" stood for "oll korrect" – a deliberate misspelling of "all correct" . The term gained national prominence during the 1840 US presidential election, when supporters of Martin Van Buren – nicknamed "Old Kinderhook" after his birthplace in New York – used it as a campaign slogan. "Vote for OK" proved catchy, and the word stuck .

The Real McCoy

When we say something is "the real McCoy", we mean it is genuine and authentic. The origin is disputed, but the most celebrated explanation comes from the boxing world. In the late nineteenth century, a young boxer named Norman Selby changed his name to Kid McCoy and enjoyed spectacular success. So many imitators adopted the name to capitalise on his fame that on 24 March 1899, after he defeated Joe Choynski in a legendary bout, the San Francisco Examiner proclaimed, "Now you've seen the real McCoy" . Alternative theories point to a Scottish whisky distiller named Mackay, whose product was advertised as "the real Mackay", or to Prohibition-era rum-runner Bill McCoy, whose liquor was famously authentic .

The Graveyard Shift

Working late at night is often called "the graveyard shift". Many believe this originated from the fear of premature burial in the 1800s, when wealthy Europeans, terrified of being buried alive, developed special coffins with bells that could be rung from underground. Watchmen were supposedly employed to listen for these bells – thus creating the "graveyard shift" . However, some linguists argue the phrase simply refers to the quiet, lonely atmosphere of working in the early hours, with the term emerging in late nineteenth-century America .

Bury the Hatchet

To make peace or call a truce is to "bury the hatchet". This phrase comes directly from the customs of Native American tribes, who would literally bury their weapons during peace treaty ceremonies as a symbolic end to conflict. The act signalled that hostilities were officially over .

By the Skin of My Teeth

When we have barely escaped or just managed to achieve something, we have done so "by the skin of our teeth". This phrase originates from the King James Version of the Bible, in Job 19:20, which reads: "My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth" . Since teeth have no skin, the phrase poetically conveys survival by the thinnest possible margin – having almost nothing left.

Cut to the Chase

To get straight to the point is to "cut to the chase". In early silent films, audiences grew impatient with long-winded dialogue and character development; they wanted the exciting action sequences, particularly the chase scenes that were a staple of the genre. Moviegoers began demanding that studios skip the build-up and "cut to the chase" .

Hit the Sack

Going to bed is often referred to as "hitting the sack". The explanation is wonderfully literal: old mattresses were simply sacks filled with hay, feathers, or other stuffing materials. Before climbing into bed, people would "hit the sack" to fluff it up and make it more comfortable, much as we might plump a pillow today .

Playing Second Fiddle

Feeling less important than someone else is "playing second fiddle". In an orchestra, the "first" chair – the end seat – is reserved for the best musician of that instrument. The musician seated next to them is the "second" violinist or "second fiddle", a supporting role deemed less important than the lead .

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Taking on too much is known as "biting off more than you can chew". This phrase rose to prominence in nineteenth-century America alongside the popularity of chewing tobacco. Sometimes, people would bite off more of the "wad" than they could comfortably manage, occasionally choking on their tobacco and prompting the saying .

Under the Weather

Feeling unwell is being "under the weather". This is one of many nautical terms in everyday English. When sailors became ill or seasick during storms, they were sent below deck to rest – quite literally, under the weather, out of the harsh elements .

Three Sheets to the Wind

Being extremely drunk is being "three sheets to the wind". On a ship, "sheets" are ropes that go from the bottom of each sail to the stern, holding it in place. If these ropes come loose, the sails flap and flail wildly in the wind, much like a drunken person stumbling about. The term "three sheets" refers to the three main ropes on a sailing vessel .

Scuttlebutt

Gossip is often called "scuttlebutt". On ships, the cask or barrel from which sailors drew drinking water was called a "scuttlebutt" – "butt" meaning cask, and "scuttled" meaning a hole was cut in it for access. Sailors would gather around the scuttlebutt to get water and exchange stories and rumours, making it the original "water cooler conversation" .

Show Your True Colors

To reveal one's true self is to "show your true colours". During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, naval battleships would fly multiple flags to confuse the enemy. Flying a friendly flag could allow a ship to approach and attack in a surprise manoeuvre. However, rules of warfare dictated that one must fly their true flag before opening fire – thus "showing your true colours" .

Kick the Bucket

This morbid phrase for dying has a more mundane origin than one might expect. The Oxford English Dictionary favours an explanation relating to an older definition of "bucket" – a beam used for hanging things. The phrase may refer to the beam on which slaughtered pigs were hung, with their kicking struggles leading to the expression .

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

This proverb, meaning that prompt action prevents greater problems later, has a practical origin. A quick stitch to repair a hole in fabric will prevent the need for many more stitches at a later date. The "nine" refers to the eight additional stitches you will save by doing one promptly and correctly .

Beat Around the Bush

To avoid the point is to "beat around the bush". First recorded in 1440, this phrase has a literal origin in bird hunting. Hunters would beat bushes to rouse birds, allowing others to catch them in nets – this preliminary action was seen as a precursor to the main event, hence the phrase for avoiding the main point .

Pass with Flying Colours

To succeed with distinction is to "pass with flying colours". This phrase comes from the age of sail. When ships returned to port, their appearance signified their fortunes: victorious ships sailed in with flags ("colours") flying high, while defeated ships were forced to lower theirs .

Wing It

To improvise or do something without preparation is to "wing it". This nineteenth-century phrase has theatrical origins. Actors would hastily learn their lines while waiting in the wings of the stage before each scene, receiving instructions from the sidelines and performing without proper preparation .

The Writing's on the Wall

An omen or warning that something is about to happen is "the writing's on the wall". This comes from the Old Testament story of Belshazzar's feast, where a disembodied hand appeared and wrote a mysterious phrase on the wall. The prophet Daniel interpreted the Aramaic words "mene, mene, tekel, upharsin" as a divine warning of Belshazzar's downfall – a warning apparent to everyone but the king himself .

Red Letter Day

An important or memorable day is a "red letter day". This phrase has ancient roots, dating back to the Roman Republic, where important days on the calendar were marked in red. The practice continued in medieval texts, where initial capitals and highlighted words were written in red ink – a tradition that persisted even after the invention of the printing press .