Legendary language

No Trojan Horse over here, just a few fun facts on everyday expressions!

Image: The New York Public Library

We use colorful expressions every day without giving them much thought. But a surprising number of them go all the way back to ancient mythology. Long before movies and television, these dramatic stories helped people make sense of luck, love, danger, and human flaws. Today, we’ve gathered ten heroic, cautionary, and messy expressions that have sneaked their way into everyday language.

Image: Jr Korpa

You’ve probably known someone like this: everything they try seems to work out, and you can’t help but admire it. That’s what we mean by the Midas touch. It comes from King Midas, who asked for everything he touched to turn to gold. At first, it sounded perfect. Then reality set in when he couldn’t eat or hug anyone without disaster. Luckily, today we use the phrase to praise good luck rather than warn about it.

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Pandora had one simple rule: don’t open the container. Naturally, she did. And once she did, all kinds of trouble spilled out into the world. When you hear someone say, "That’ll open Pandora’s box," they’re really saying, "Trust me, you don’t want to start this." And that’s just the beginning.

Image: Rosario Esposito La Rossa

Some jobs feel so big you wonder where to even start. Hercules knew that feeling well. He was famous for taking on tasks no one else would dare attempt, from fighting monsters to cleaning stables no one wanted to go near. So when you hear yourself say a job took a herculean effort, you’re in good company.

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The Amazons didn’t sit around waiting for help. They were warriors through and through, strong, skilled, and confident. That spirit carries over when we describe a woman as Amazonian today. It’s a compliment that suggests she has presence, power, and knows exactly who she is.

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We all know the type: the kind of man who turns heads without even trying. In mythology, Adonis was so good-looking that goddesses argued over him. These days, calling someone an Adonis is just an easy, playful way to say he’s handsome, no epic love story required.

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Even the strongest people have a soft spot. Achilles was nearly unbeatable, except for one small weakness at his heel. That single flaw changed everything. When you talk about an Achilles’ heel now, you’re pointing to that one thing that can trip you up, even when everything else is going right.

Image: Sophia Kunkel

Ever feel stuck with no good options? Odysseus knew that feeling all too well when he had to choose between two deadly dangers on his journey. Either way, he was in trouble. That’s why we still use the phrase today to describe situations where every choice feels like the wrong one.

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At first glance, it looked like a generous gift. But inside that wooden horse was a plan that changed history. The Trojan Horse has become our shorthand for anything that seems helpful on the surface but hides trouble underneath. Feel like saying yes to something? Think twice!

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Imagine being inches away from what you want and never being able to reach it. That was Tantalus’s fate, and it gave us the word tantalizing. We use it for those tempting things that stay just out of reach, like a treat you swear you won’t have but can’t stop thinking about.

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Icarus had big dreams and ignored good advice. Flying higher and higher felt thrilling, until it all came crashing down. When someone warns about Icarian ambition, they’re saying it’s great to aim high, but it helps to listen and stay grounded. After all, even wings need limits.

Unavoidable words

I’m, you’re, we’re: These 12 common contractions help us talk faster

Image: Vitaly Gariev

Aside from their use to describe the pains of childbirth, contractions are little shortcuts that make English sound natural and easy in everyday speech. They work by blending words and dropping letters, usually with an apostrophe standing in their place. We all use them daily, often without even thinking about it. Let’s take a look at 12 of the most common ones.

Image: Fatemeh Heidari

The first item on our list is the contraction of "I am." It entered English centuries ago, as speakers sought smoother and faster ways to communicate. Here, the apostrophe replaces the missing "a."

Today, "I’m" is one of the most common contractions in both conversation and casual writing. You’ll hear it everywhere—from introductions like "I’m John" to everyday statements such as "I’m hungry."

Image: Adi Goldstein

"You’re" blends "you are" into a quicker form. The apostrophe stands in for the dropped "a." Its use became widespread in both spoken and written English over time.

Today, "you’re" is essential in everyday communication. Whether in texts, casual notes, or speech, most people favor it over the more formal "you are" in informal settings.

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"He’s" is the contraction of either "he is" or "he has." The meaning depends on context: "He’s running" means "he is running," while "He’s gone" means "he has gone."

It’s one of the most common spoken contractions, helping speech and writing sound more natural. You’ll see it in conversations, books, and movies, adding natural flow.

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There’s no "he’s" without a "she’s." This contraction can mean "she is" or "she has," depending on how it’s used. Like many others, it reflects the natural rhythm of spoken English.

Like its masculine counterpart, "she’s" is an everyday staple, heard in phrases like "She’s ready" or "She’s been there." It makes speech and writing quicker, more direct, and more conversational.

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"It’s" is the contraction of either "it is" or "it has," with the apostrophe marking the missing letter. It is often confused with its, the possessive form (as in "The dog wagged its tail").

In current use, "it’s" is one of the most common contractions in English, referring to things or animals. Common sentences like "It’s cold outside" or "It’s been fun" show just how indispensable it is.

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"We’re" is the contraction of "we are," with the apostrophe replacing the missing "a." It has been in use for centuries as a way to make speech and writing smoother and more efficient

Today, "we’re" is common in everyday English, especially in collaborative or group contexts. You’ll hear it in phrases like "We’re going out" or "We’re ready."

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"They’re" blends "they are," again with the apostrophe marking the missing letters. It’s often confused with the homophones their (possessive) and there (location), which makes it challenging for many learners.

Today, "they’re" is frequently used in both speech and informal writing. Common examples include "They’re happy" and "They’re working," showing how practical and natural the contraction is in everyday English.

Image: Francisco De Legarreta C.

"Don’t" is the shortened form of "do not." Its first known use dates back to the 17th century, when written English began reflecting casual speech.

Today, it’s one of the most common negative contractions. You’ll hear it everywhere, in phrases like "Don’t worry," "Don’t move," and "Don’t forget." It may be informal, but it’s practically universal.

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"Can’t" contracts "cannot," with the apostrophe replacing the missing "no." This form has been part of spoken English for centuries, reflecting natural speech patterns.

Today, it’s one of the most common contractions, used to express inability or prohibition. Phrases like "I can’t swim" or "You can’t do that" are everyday examples of its use.

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The third and final negative contraction on this list, "won’t," is the shortened version of "will not." Unlike most contractions, it does not follow the usual pattern of dropping letters, as it evolved from older English forms such as "wonnot" or "wynnot."

Currently, "won’t" is one of the most familiar negative contractions. Frequently used in speech and writing, it appears in everyday phrases like "I won’t go" or "He won’t listen."

Image: Tonia Kraakman

"I’ve" shortens "I have," usually when "have" acts as an auxiliary verb. The contraction drops the "ha" and replaces it with an apostrophe.

Today, "I’ve" is commonly used in casual speech: for example, "I’ve seen that movie" or "I’ve been there." It helps make everyday expressions smoother and more natural.

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"Let’s" comes from "let us," and has been used for centuries to invite joint action. The apostrophe shows the missing "u."

Today, "let’s" is common in casual English. From "Let’s go" to "Let’s see," it provides a friendly, inclusive way to suggest doing something together.