Odd words, old meanings

These 10 idioms and phrases are still in use, but don’t always make sense

How much is a notch when it comes to volume? Who is Bob, and why is he everyone’s uncle? What is the difference between a spider web and a cobweb? Languages change with time and use, and English is no exception, but some phrases remain frozen in time, and while we still use them, we don’t always know their literal meaning. Here are 10 idioms and words that don’t make sense, but once did.

We often use the phrase "to a T" (sometimes spelled "to a tee") to indicate something done perfectly, with precision. But is it about the letter "T"? Not really. The original phrase used to be "to a tittle," with tittle being the proper name for the dot of the "i" or the "j," and it conveyed the idea of doing something accurately, down to the smallest detail. Eventually, "tittle" was shortened to "T," but the phrase had already stuck, even if its literal meaning was lost.

Although "fathom" might sound very formal, we all know that it is synonymous with "understand." But did you know that fathom is actually a nautical unit of measurement? From the Old English fæðm ("the span of the arms" or "embrace"), it represented the distance between the left and right fingertips of outstretched arms. Eventually, a "fathom" was standardized to about six feet or two yards, and was mainly used by sailors to measure water depth. It was this connection with depth that led the word to take on a figurative meaning of "getting to the bottom" of something, or understanding it thoroughly.

Popularly, we understand that a "red herring" is something meant to give false clues or distract from another pressing issue. But why a herring? Herrings turn red when smoked and also acquire a strong, pungent smell, which made them a great tool for training hunting dogs, as the smell of the fish covered the trail of the prey. As a metaphor, though, it was popularized in the early 19th century by journalist William Cobbett, who used it to describe how the press was easily swayed by false news.

If something is a "rule of thumb," it means that it’s a common guideline, usually based on experience rather than science. In its origins, this phrase was quite literal: thumbs served as a rule. Tradesmen often used the width and length of their thumbs to take and remember measurements, a system that, though practical and effective, only worked for the owner of the thumb in question. Its use as an idiom comes from 17th century writers comparing this popular method with more scientific measuring systems.

If someone asks us to "take it down a notch," how much should we lower our volume? With "notch," this idiom refers to mechanical dials, like the ones used in a radio, where the notches signal the different levels. And while radios only date back to the 20th century, the roots of this idiom go all the way back to the 17th century and to the phrase "take it down a peg," related to wooden pins used for measurements.

Is there a difference between a cobweb and a spiderweb? Although they are synonymous, most dictionaries will make the distinction that "cobweb" is particularly used for dusty, abandoned spiderwebs. But what does the "cob" part mean? "Cobweb" is derived from the Middle English coppeweb, composed of coppe ("spider") and web ("woven fabric"). If we go one step further, coppe comes from the Old English attorcoppe ("spider"), a mix of attor ("poison") and coppe ("head" or "round thing"). So, despite the slight difference in their actual use, "cobweb" and "spiderweb" mean the same thing.

It isn’t difficult to see how "breaking the ice" might have originated from people actually breaking ice, but what many ignore is that this custom (and the phrase) is rooted in diplomacy and trade. When large trade vessels were unable to advance due to frozen rivers, canals, or harbors, it was common to send people in a small boat to "break the ice" and allow the ship to continue its course. In some places, however, locals would send "icebreakers" to clear the path for a foreign vessel as a welcome and a sign of goodwill. The metaphorical use of the phrase exists in many languages, but it was first recorded in English in the 16th century.

The idea of "letting down your hair" is popularly associated with relaxing and letting formalities aside, but the phrase is rooted in an actual Medieval and Renaissance custom. Traditionally, single women would keep their hair loose and uncovered, but would pin it up once they married. It was not proper for a married woman to be seen in public with their hair down, something they would only do in the comfort of their home, foregoing elaborate hairstyles and uncomfortable pins. Eventually, loose hair lost its social status meaning, but the connection with relaxation remained.

According to historians, no one knows who Uncle Bob is, or what his connection is with simple and easily accomplished tasks, but popular folklore claims to have the answer. According to this theory, the phrase refers to British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil (who went by Bob), appointing his nephew Arthur Balfour as Chief Secretary for Ireland, a position he was woefully unqualified for, but that was made possible because "Bob’s your uncle".

Have you ever wondered why midwives have that name? After all, there is nothing "mid" nor necessarily "wifely" in helping someone give birth. The answer takes us back to Old English, where mid meant "with" or "together with," and wif (the origin of "wife") meant "woman," "female," or "lady," and not necessarily a married female. First recorded around the year 1300, "midwife" was an accompanying person (typically a woman) who assisted mothers during labor. Although the literal meaning of the term is lost to us, the importance of the role was surely the reason this word survived through the centuries.

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?

What is behind the name of every full moon?

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

You have surely heard of blue moons, corn moons, and harvest moons. These are all speaking about the same moon, but where do these names come from, and what do they mean? They are all names given to the full moon, but they occur at different times of the year.

Many cultures around the world have names for the moon and its phases. In the U.S., the names of the full moons come from a mix of European and Native American traditions and have been popularized by the Farmers’ Almanac.

Image: Michael LaRosa

Other names: Moon after Yule, Old Moon, Ice Moon.

The first full moon of the year was named after the wolves that howled near villages, searching for food. The proximity of the wolves led some Native American tribes to call this moon the "Stay-at-Home Moon."

Image: Aditya Vyas

Other names: Black Moon, Hungry Moon, Bear Moon.

February is the snowiest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the moon’s name reflects this. Alternative names refer to the scarcity of food due to the weather and to the harsh hunting conditions. Because February is the shortest month of the year, it sometimes lacks a full moon, a phenomenon known as a "Black Moon."

Image: Sean Thomas

Other names: Spring Moon, Snow Crust Moon, Sore Eye Moon.

As the snowy weather recedes in March, the first signs of Spring start to appear. The odd name for this moon comes from the appearance of worms in the thawing ground, a sign that better times are ahead.

Image: steph

Other names: Budding Moon, Peony Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon

Wildflowers start to appear in April, inspiring the name of this moon, especially moss pink and creeping ground phlox, two of the earliest wildflowers. Alternative names for the April moon also refer to new growth.

Image: Sergey Shmidt

Other names: Mulberry Moon, Milk Moon.

If the first sprouts inspire the April moon, by the time of the May moon, flowers are everywhere. Alternative names for this moon refer to the mulberries that have ripened in the trees and the cattle being moved to pastures.

Image: Oliver Hale

Other names: Honey Moon, Windy Moon, Rose Moon.

The name for this moon comes from the wild strawberry, which at this time of the year is ripe and ready to be harvested. Found across most states, this plant was a spring staple. Alternative names refer to spring storms and other flowering plants.

Image: Diana Parkhouse

Other names: Salmon Moon, Mead Moon.

Come July, young bucks begin growing their antlers rapidly in preparation for the fall mating season. At the same time, salmon start migrating upriver, and it’s time to start fermenting mead.

Image: Anil Sharma

Other names: Moon of the Ripening, Grain Moon.

The sturgeon was once an important food source in North America. During August, these fish are abundant and easy to catch. Alternative moon names indicate that summer crops are ready for harvesting.

Image: Christophe Maertens

Other names: Autumn Moon, Mating Moon.

Corn is still one of the main crops in North America, so it’s not surprising that the full moon during its harvest is named after it. Other names refer to this period as the animal mating season.

Image: Viktor Talashuk

Other names: Hunter Moon.

The October full moon rises quickly after sunset, which gives farmers extra light to finish harvesting. This additional light was also helpful for hunters, who used the time to stock up for winter.

Image: Francesco Ungaro

Other names: Freezing Moon.

Found in most of North America, beavers start building their homes around this time of the year. Some say the name of this moon comes from the beaver hunts that happened in the season. Alternatively, this moon is also named after the first frosts.

Image: Joel & Jasmin Førestbird

Other names: Long Night Moon, Moon Before Yule.

By December, winter has set in, and the full moon is named after the coldest time of the year. Alternative names for this moon make reference to the long winter nights and to the festivities at the end of the year.

Image: Kym MacKinnon

The Farmers’ Almanac follows the tropical year—from one winter solstice to the next—rather than the calendar year. In addition, the lunar cycle takes about 29.5 days to complete, slightly shorter than a full calendar month. This means that, every two or three years, a year will have thirteen full moons instead of twelve. The extra full moon is called a Blue Moon, which is the origin of the expression "once in a blue moon," meaning something that happens rarely.