Funny English phrases

Head over heels

It stems back to 1700s 1, 2 when this phrase was used for the first time. Sources differ on when it was actually used. It originally was used as ‘heels over head’, which would make sense. Because head over heels is the normal state of being. The context has been changed from an upturned life or reckless to being in a higher state of excitement. It became common in 1800s to use the phrase in context of love. That’s where head over-heels come in play.

Man/Woman after my own heart

Stemming from 1600s in the Bible 1, this phrase refers to someone with the same interests and beliefs. The meaning did not change but it does sound murder-y to me. But where does ‘after’ fit in? Does after mean ‘imitating someone’ or ‘following/pursuing’? Can we say ‘before’ my own heart when we put someone’s else’s interests before our own? Then it makes sense why this never caught on. You should always be after your own heart.

Be still, my beating heart

Originated in 1700s 1, this phrase is a poetic expression. It is used, often jokingly, to still excitement when your person of desire makes your flutter. I don’t know if I am the only one here but I think doctors would agree that is absolutely not a good thing to recommend. You DO NOT want to see a flatline in that ECG. Same thing goes for ‘wear your heart on your sleeve’. No, I don't think so.

Put your best foot forward

Although this phrase means to start a journey with purpose, it is kinda confusing. What does it mean to put your best foot forward? First of all you have two. And one usually follows the other. You really don’t get a choice.

Tongue in cheek

Sir Walter Scott, when he coined this phrase in 1800s 1, meant it to be used to take something with a ‘pinch of salt’. What? Why? It is an awkward facial thing which one does mostly to soothe their cheeks. I might have understood if it meant ‘to placate someone’ but this meaning is just crazy. Other tongue related phrasing- ‘cat got your tongue’ meaning ‘why are you being so quiet? (lightheatedly)’ but how will that happen and I will steal the phrasing of Gary Martin1 and he quotes ’There have been no reported incidents of feline theft. ’



Other phrases that I find equally befuddling

  • ‘Eat your heart out’-I have to point it out cardiologists probably want to eat their heart after hearing this.

  • ‘Silver tongue’- Silver metal and newly nanoparticles(NP) are being used as an antimicrobial agent. More and more SNPs are being used because of their anti-inflammatory uses in wound care and anti-allergy treatment and reflective properties in sunscreen (highly questioned now-a-days) 3. While metallic silver is inert, Ag+ ions can cause discoloration of eyes and skin. The permissible exposure limit for exposure of metallic silver is 0.1mg/m3 while for soluble silver is 0.01mg/m3 4. The lifetime intake of silver is 10g (also known as No Observable Adverse Effect Level) 5 whereas the average human tongue weighs 60-70g. While having a silver tongue may have its own merit, I think we might have put our tongue in cheek for this one.



  1. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cat-got-your-tongue.html

  2. https://www.etymonline.com/word/head%20over%20heels

  3. Korani, M., Ghazizadeh, E., Korani, S., Hami, Z., & Mohammadi-Bardbori, A. (2015). Effects of silver nanoparticles on human health, European Journal of Nanomedicine, 7(1), 51-62. doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/ejnm-2014-0032

  4. Drake, P.L., Hazelwood, K.J. (2005), Exposure-Related Health Effects of Silver and Silver Compounds: A Review, The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 49(7), 575–585, doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mei019

  5. Lansdown, A.B.G. (2010), "A Pharmacological and Toxicological Profile of Silver as an Antimicrobial Agent in Medical Devices", Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 2010, Article ID 910686, 16 pages. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/910686