Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family comes before everything else.
History: In ancient Middle Eastern culture, blood rituals between men symbolised bonds that were far greater than those of family. The saying also has to do with “blood brothers”, because warriors who symbolically shared the blood they shed in battle together were said to have stronger bonds than biological brothers.
Break the ice
Meaning: To commence a project or initiate a friendship.
History: Before the days of trains or cars, port cities that thrived on trade suffered during the winter because frozen rivers prevented commercial ships from entering the city. Small ships known as “icebreakers” would rescue the icebound ships by breaking the ice and creating a path for them to follow. Before any type of business arrangement today, it is now customary to “break the ice” before beginning a project.
Butter someone up
Meaning: To flatter someone.
History: An ancient Indian custom involved throwing balls of clarified butter at statues of the gods to seek favour.
Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Said when a person is at a loss for words.
History: There are two possible sources for this common short saying. The first refers to the cat-o’-nine-tails – a whip used by the English Navy for flogging. The whip caused so much pain that the victims were left speechless. The second refers to the practice of cutting out the tongues of liars and blasphemers and feeding them to cats.
Eat humble pie
Meaning: Making an apology and suffering humiliation along with it.
History: During the Middle Ages, the lord of a manor would hold a feast after hunting. He would receive the finest cut of meat at the feast, but those of a lower standing were served a pie filled with the entrails and innards, known as “umbles”. Therefore, receiving “umble pie” was considered humiliating because it informed others in attendance of the guest’s lower status.
*Taken from List 25
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