Category
Things we say
Discover where our common phrases, expressions, and words come from — the stories behind what we say.
12 Articles
Things we say
Why does it Costs an Arm and a Leg?
This common expression for something expensive has a surprising history tied to early portraiture, war, and the price people literally paid to be remembered.
Things we say
The Discovery of The Exclamation 'Eureka!'
Archimedes leaping from his bath shouting 'Eureka!' is one of history's most famous moments. But what really happened, and why does this ancient Greek word still echo today?
Things we say
Where Does the Word 'Amen' Come From?
Spoken by billions across religions and languages, "Amen" is one of the most universal words in human history. Its roots in ancient Hebrew and Egyptian religion tell a remarkable story.
Things we say
Where Do French Fries Come From? France?
Despite the name, French fries may not be French at all. The debate between France and Belgium over this beloved dish reveals how food history is more complex than you'd expect.
Things we say
Why Do We Call It a Caesarian Section?
According to legend, Julius Caesar’s mother gave birth to her son through a Caesarian section. Their have been many speculations and studies on this possibility. Was that actually possible over 2,000
Things we say
Why do We Compare Apples to Oranges?
In the English language, we often compare apples to oranges to illustrate we are comparing two different things to each other and how those differences cannot be compared equally. But are apples and o
Things we say
Why Wish Someone a Broken Leg?
Why do we wish our friends to “break a leg” when we wish them good luck? There are multiple explanations for this unique saying, some are born out of superstition and other out of historical facts. Th
Things we say
The burden of White Elephant gifts
White elephants were considered sacred animals in south Asia, especially in Siam (now Thailand). However, the upkeep of these enormous beasts was quite expensive. Kings often gifted these sacred anima
Things we say
Did the Romans use Etcetera?
Etc. is an abbreviation that we use often in writing and in common speech. The expression became very popular in the 1950s. But is it real Latin or not? Was it used the same way 2,000 years ago? Origi
Things we say
Why do We Say “Bless You” When Someone Sneezes?
If you think that it is to wish speedy recovery you are wrong. It is actually too save the sneezer’s soul and preserve your own health! Origins, The Justinian Plague The Romans used to say “Jupiter pr
Things we say
Welcome to History Alive Today: A Special Welcome
Welcome to the newly launched “History Alive Today” website. The intent of this new site is to bring you fun snippet of history that have relevance to our daily lives. We are surrounded by objects, sa
Things we say
Why When Pouring We Say it’s Raining Cats and Dogs?
The phrase it’s “Raining cats and dogs” is first found in writing in 1651 in a poem called Olor Iscanus by a British poet called Henry Vaughan – “the roof was secured against dogs and cats rained in s