Others believe that 12th Century England holds the truth, with the town of Great Dunmow in Essex hosting an annual competition where a 'flitch' of bacon would be offered to married couples who evidenced true marital devotion. Boxing was a great example of earning a living using your body, and the most frequently documented uses of the phrase come out of the sport of boxing throughout the early 20th Century. Associating your ability to earn money and make a living with the health of your body led to 'bacon' gaining that connotation too. The most commonly received explanation of where "bringing home the bacon" comes from builds upon 'bacon' being a slang term for one's body. The Origin - Where does 'Bringing Home the Bacon' Come From?ĭespite being such a wonderful phrase, the origins of the term "Bringing Home the Bacon" are still disputed. Someone who works and earns money for their family typically the sole or primary earner. Bringing Home the Bacon The Definition - What Does 'Bringing Home the Bacon' Mean? The origins of "break the bank" are actually to do with gambling, and the unlikely occurrence that a gambler wins more money than a casino or establishment has available in the building. "Break the bank" has nothing to do with bank robberies or glitched online accounts - it isn't even about a bank at all. The Origin - Where does 'Break the Bank' Come From? To use all of your money to spend everything. The "breadwinner" became such because, across the 19th Century, bread was a staple food item for many families, and the "breadwinner" was simply the family member who brought home the money and, therefore, brought home the bread.īreak the Bank The Definition - What Does 'Break the Bank' Mean? The Origin - Where does 'Breadwinner' Come From?ĭespite some definitions suggesting that in the early 1820s, workers were often paid in bread rather than in currency, the term actually has very simple origins. Aristocracy and the higher classes, however, were lucky enough to own and use metal spoons, with a silver spoon often being a gift from wealthy godparents to their godchildren at their Christening.īeing "born with a silver spoon in your mouth" suggested that you arrived in the world with this kind of status symbol already on show, born into a life of relative luxury.īreadwinner The Definition - What Does 'Breadwinner' Mean? The Origin - Where does 'Silver Spoon' Come From?Ĭountry of Origin: United Kingdom/United Statesīack in the medieval days, the majority of cutlery was wooden. Someone born into a life of luxury, or with a great amount of inherited wealth. However, the term also appeared in 13th Century Latin (referring to 'In the Woods' rather than 'in the Bush'.īorn With a Silver Spoon in Your Mouth The Definition - What Does 'Silver Spoon' Mean? The true origin of the phrase "A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush" dates back to medieval falconry, where the bird in your hand - a bird of prey, and an expert hunter - was always worth more than any two birds out in the wild (the prey). Of course, it is pretty difficult to catch wild birds and therefore having one in your hand is definitely much more valuable, but that's besides the point.
This one isn't quite as simple as you'd expect. The Origin - Where does 'A Bird in the Hand' Come From? To be satisfied with what you have, rather than taking a risk and potentially losing out entirely. Military and NASA.Ī "Ballpark Figure" simply refers to the fact that, during a landing test/missile test/splashdown, a single point was far too inaccurate (and optimistic) to use as a target, and instead a designated territory is more appropriate - not unlike the iconic grassy area of a baseball field when seen from above.Ī "ballpark figure" would be given instead, which quickly evolved to become a term used in business too (as early as the 1960s).Ī Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush The Definition - What Does 'A Bird in the Hand' Mean?
The Origin - Where does 'Ballpark Figure' Come From?ĭespite all the logical explanations related to the actual sport of Baseball, the origins of the term a "ballpark figure" actually began with the U.S. If you're curious as to why we 'bring home the bacon' and 'push the boat out', then find all your answers below, courtesy of Vouchercloud.Ī Bird in the Hand (is Worth Two in the Bush)īallpark Figure The Definition - What Does 'Ballpark Figure' Mean?Īn educated guess at a figure a rough but considered estimate. In and across the English language, there are many phrases and sayings that we still use every day with strange meanings - and even stranger origins. Surprisingly enough, a 'gravy train' was never a rush to a roast dinner, and 'making a mint' never freshened your breath.
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