In our daily lives we use many expressions, phrases, sayings or sayings, of which we usually do not know the origin. They are part of our usual vocabulary and we don’t even stop to think what they really mean. At we have talked to you about some in the post: Here’s a cat in the bag and the reason for other expressions. This time we will focus on four that we frequently use, such as: «Saved by the bell», «Feet first» and other expressions related to death.
Expressions related to death
1. Saved by the Bell
«Saved by the bell» means someone got rid of something at the last minute. The expression comes from the bell that, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries, was placed in the coffins as a security element, in case someone was buried alive. This fear, deeply rooted in those centuries, arose as a result of the cholera epidemics that caused many deaths. When some coffins were unearthed, scratches were observed on the inside of the lid and it was assumed that the deceased was not dead at the time he was buried. The device with the bell was placed as one last chance to save yourself in case of being buried alive.
2. Feet first
When we say «They took him feet first,» we indicate that someone has died. This expression is related to the fact that the deceased were taken out of their house by put your feet through the door first and then the head. Although there are several explanations for this fact, the most plausible is that it is a superstition according to which if the deceased is removed starting from the head, your spirit could look into the house and when you meet someone close to you, possess them.
3. Bite the dust
Making someone «bite the dust» means thatand we have won in a fight, surrendering him, killing him or knocking him down. The expression has come to us from Middle Ages. Medieval knights, when they fell to the ground mortally wounded, had the habit of put a handful of dirt in your mouth. This act was a kiss to Mother Earth who was going to receive them.
4. Carrying the dead
«Carry the dead» or «Throw the dead on someone» They have the same origin. As we know, it means divert blame for an event towards someone who is innocent. The origin of this expression is in a ancient medieval law that forced pay a fine called «homicisium» to the inhabitants of a place where it had been found a corpse with signs of murder and the author of the crime could not be determined. The neighbors were obliged to pay this fine together. To avoid having to do so, if a body was found on the edge of town and the authorities had not found out, they would hide the body and at night They took him to the end of a neighboring town and avoided paying the fine. That’s where «throwing the dead person on someone» comes from, the one who was transporting the corpse was the one who «carrying the dead»an activity that involved considerable danger.
Do you know more expressions related to death? Do you know its origin? Share them with us! If you want to know more curious expressions, you can read the post: About “Go to hell” and other expressions.