Origin of Famous Sayings 4

“You can’t get blood out of a stone”.

The American version of this is “You can’t get blood out of a turnip”.

It means that you cannot get what isn’t there.

This saying dates back to the 1600’s.

“Wear your heart on your sleeve”

It means to openly show emotion.

William Shakespeare first used this saying in his play Othello. It is believed to have been a custom during jousting matches when knights wore a colored ribbon about their arm to represent the lady they supported.

“Wet your whistle”

This saying means to drink.

It dates back to the 1300’s.

“Whet your appetite”

This saying means to arouse ones appetite.

It dates back to the 1600’s.

“Vice-Versa”

It means the other way around.

It dates all the way back to the 1600’s.

“Take the cake”

It means to win the whole shebang.

It’s most often used to express surprise or dismay.

This saying is said to have originated during the late 1800’s in Black areas of the American south. Contests for cake walking were held and the winner won the cake, thus the expression “take the cake” was born…

“The crapper”

It means restroom (U.S.), washroom (Canada) or lavatory (England and Ireland).

It’s a popular misconception that a gentleman by the name of Thomas Crapper of England invented the flush toilet. However, he did not. Albert Giblin invented it in 1819.

Thomas Crapper holds several patents for plumbing inventions as well as operated a successful plumbing business. He was also the sanitary engineer for members of the royal family during his lifetime.

“Laughing stock”

It means to be ridiculed and made fun of.

It dates back to the 1600’s.

“Learn the ropes”

It means to learn anything new.

This saying originated from the days of tall ships when a new and inexperienced sailor had to learn how to tie knots and which rope operated which sail.