When you encounter an idiom that you’re unfamiliar with, you might find yourself puzzled by its meaning. This is because many idioms have meanings that seem unrelated to the individual words. Here are some intriguing stories about the origins of popular idioms in the English language.
How come we can make a killing?
If you make a killing, you are achieving substantial financial success quickly and effortlessly.
The phrase became popularised in the world of gambling. A gambler who won a large sum of money in a short amount of time was said to have “made a killing”. The expression likely first originated to describe the reward a hunter received after successfully killing a large animal.
What, exactly, is the cream of the crop?
The cream of the crop refers to the best in a group of things or people.
This idiom has its roots in agriculture. In milk that hasn’t been homogenised, the fat rises to the surface of the milk as it is the least dense component. People called this layer of fat “cream”. Farmers used the word “cream” to describe their best crops as well. In the 16th century, people began using the word “cream” to describe the best in a group.
Where did the green-eyed monster come from?
The green-eyed monster refers to feelings of jealousy or envy.
In ancient times, the colour green was often associated with envy and jealousy. This connection arose from the observation that spoiled food and the faces of sick individuals usually had a greenish hue. The phrase “green-eyed jealousy” first appeared in Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice. Later, he personified jealousy as a “green-eyed monster” in Othello.
How can someone be on cloud nine?
If you’re on cloud nine, you are feeling extremely happy or blissful.
But the ninth cloud isn’t the only cloud that signifies joy. “Cloud seven” appeared in The San Mateo Times in 1952, and Sam Ross referred to “cloud thirty-nine” in his 1956 novel, The Hustlers. But beginning in the 1980s, people seemed to prefer cloud nine. This is likely due to the influence of George Harrison’s album titled Cloud Nine.
Why can someone be worth their salt, but not sugar or spice?
If you are worth your salt, it means you are capable or competent.
In ancient Rome, hardworking soldiers were sometimes paid with salt, a valuable preservative and commodity at the time. Only the bravest soldiers proved themselves deserving of their salt rations. Interestingly, the term salarium, which means salary in Latin, is derived from sal, the Latin word for salt.
