Did You Know These Unusual Words & Phrases Actually Came From The Ancient World?

English is a language that has been shaped by many different sources. A lot of English words come from French, especially in British English. You can also see the influence of other languages, like Old Norse, on our everyday language. Additionally, a big part of our language comes from the ancient Greco-Roman world.

In this collection, you'll find words and phrases and interesting stories about where they came from, all from the ancient past. You will be surprised to learn that some words that we use normally in our everyday lives actually come to have deep-rooted meanings in the goings of the ancient world.

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Here Are 5 Words And Phrases We Commonly Use That Are Actually From The Ancient World:

Butter-Up

The phrase is normally used as a way to define someone¡¯s attempt to charm others with praise or flattery. It is possible that the phrase might have originated in India, where locals practice an old religious tradition of showing respect to gods by tossing clarified butter, called ghee, at statues of the deities to seek their favour.

Lethargy

The word is used to express a lack of energy or enthusiasm. The word comes from the Greek word "lethe," which originally meant inaction due to forgetfulness.

In Greek mythology, Lethe was one of the rivers in the underworld, Hades, where souls went after death. When newly arrived souls drank from its waters, they would forget their past mortal lives. Over time, the word's meaning changed, and the forgetfulness aspect of the word was ironically forgotten.

Panic

The word is often used to describe a person¡¯s sudden fear and perplexed demeanour. The word "panic" comes from the Greek word "panikon," which means "related to Pan."

Pan, a god in Greek mythology with a goat-like appearance, was associated with shepherds, flocks, woods, and fields. His tendency to create eerie sounds in remote places could instill fear in people's hearts, making them frightened to even move an inch.

At the time, when someone was in this state of extreme fear, it was described as being in a condition of "panikos," which eventually gave rise to the word "panic."

Hypnosis

A state of consciousness where a person loses their power over voluntary action is what we usually use this word to describe. Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, was the twin of Thanatos, the god of death. They dwelled in eternal darkness in the underworld, guarded by sleep-inducing poppies.

In a famous legend, Hypnos used his powers twice to aid the Greek gods in the Trojan War. "Hypnosis" combines "hypno" (sleep) and "osis" (condition). Additionally, Morpheus, one of Hypnos's sons, inspired the term "morphine," a potent pain-relief drug developed in the 19th century.

Cat Got Your Tongue

This phrase is commonly used in cynical conversations to inquire about or describe a person¡¯s lack of words.

There are a few theories about where this phrase comes from. One connects it to the Navy. In the past, a sailor who showed disrespect to a superior could receive a harsh flogging with a whip known as a "cat o' nine tails." After such punishment, obviously, the sailor wouldn't be so keen to speak out, hence the saying "the cat (o' nine tails) got his tongue."

Another theory goes back even further. In ancient Egypt, those found guilty of blasphemy faced a special punishment. Liars had their tongues cut out and fed to nearby cats¡ªan abundance in Egypt. With no tongue, the guilty could not utter any more blasphemies.

The exact origin of this phrase is uncertain, as some people believe it might simply be a playful but nonsensical expression.

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