From the horse's mouth
English is a language rich in idioms, and many of them derive originally from quotations. The Bible, of course, is a fruitful source. We think of put your hand to the plough (to embark on a task) or to have feet of clay (have a fatal flaw in a character that is otherwise powerful or admirable).
The great English poets have contributed too. Fresh fields and pastures new (a place or activity regarded as offering new opportunities) is a misquotation of John Milton, while variety is the spice of life (new and exciting experiences make life more interesting) comes from William Cowper. Shakespeare, as usual, has added many turns of phrase to our common stock, such as out of joint (in a state of disorder or disorientation) from Hamlet, brave new world (a new and hopeful period in history resulting from major changes in society) from The Tempest, and gild the lily (try to improve what is already beautiful or excellent) from an adaptation of King John.
Many idioms derive from classical authors. Bread and circuses (material benefits and entertainment employed by rulers or political parties to keep the masses happy and docile) comes from the Roman poet Juvenal, while beware the Greeks bearing gifts (if rivals or enemies show apparent generosity or kindness, you should be suspicious of their motives) derives from Virgil's Aeneid. Caesar's wife (a person who is required to be above suspicion) comes from an anecdote about Julius Caesar.
Other idioms have a historical origin. In a smoke-filled room (political bargaining or decision-making conducted privately by a small group of influential people rather than more openly or democratically) was originally used in a 1920 news report about the selection of Republican presidential candidate Warren Harding. Blood and iron (military force rather than diplomacy) is a translation of a phrase used by the German statesman Bismarck, while the buck stops here (the responsibility for something cannot or should not be passed to someone else) was the sign on the desk of American President Harry S. Truman.
To find out about these and many other idioms from the horse's mouth (from the person directly concerned or another authoritative source), go to From the Horse's Mouth: Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms edited by John Ayto. Click here for more details.
Susan Ratcliffe
21/07/2009
 Printer friendly version
| 
