Why Do We Say That? The Curious Origins of English Idioms

Learn the Funny and Fascinating Stories Behind Popular Idioms

English idioms are everywhere, from daily conversations to pop culture. But many of these expressions have surprisingly strange or even hilarious origins! Let’s explore where they came from.

• Kick the bucket: This dark-sounding idiom for dying might have come from a method of hanging animals during slaughter where they literally kicked a bucket.
• Raining cats and dogs: There’s no clear origin, but one theory is that dead animals would wash into the streets during heavy storms in old England!
• Spill the beans: This may have originated from voting practices in ancient Greece, where beans were used as secret ballots.

Idioms like these make English colorful, but also confusing for learners. Understanding their background makes them easier to remember — and more fun to use!

Want more language surprises? Don’t miss our post on The Surprising History Behind Common English Words and explore Effective Vocabulary Building Techniques.

To dive deeper into idioms, explore TheIdioms.com or Oxford Learner’s Dictionary.

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Do you know any other idioms with strange origins? Share them in the comments and let’s decode English together!

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• The Surprising History Behind Common English Words
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❓ FAQ

What is the origin of the idiom "kick the bucket"?

It may come from the practice of animals being hung from a bucket before slaughter — hence "kick the bucket" when they died.

Why do we say "spill the beans"?

This idiom possibly originated from ancient Greek voting, where spilling the beans accidentally revealed one’s vote.

Are idioms used in both British and American English?

Yes! Though some are regional, many idioms are shared across both British and American English.

Updated: July 15, 2025