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There are literally dozens of sayings we use in our daily conversations that have origins from years past. I’ll often say something like, that’s “the rule of thumb” “don’t cry over spilled milk”, “getting caught red handed”, or “giving him the cold shoulder”, and I’ll stop and wonder what does it really mean and where did it come from? Well, here’s five terms I myself have actually used during the past week and I just had to find out where they came from. And better yet, I thought it would make a fun article. Read on and use my findings to impress friends and colleagues.

Going the Whole Nine Yards – Meaning: Going All the Way. Origin: During World War 2, a nine-yard linked chain of ammunition was what fighter pilots shot from their planes at enemy targets. When a pilot emptied the entire chain, they would say that he went “the whole nine yards”.

No Spring Chicken – Meaning: You’re past your prime. Origin: Years back, chicken farmers sold their best and healthiest chickens in the springtime. If leftover stock lasted through the winter, people didn’t want the older birds and would tell the farmers, “That’s no spring chicken.”

Run Amok – Meaning: Going completely crazy Origin: This saying is derived from the Malaysian word Amoq.Way back when, Malaysian tribesman would be high on opium and go totally nuts and kick the shinola out of anyone in their way.

Waking Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed – Meaning: Being in a bad mood. Origin: Years ago, innkeepers would always make sure that the left side of beds in each room were always pushed up against the wall because anything associated with the left side was always thought as bad, no good, or evil. This assured that their guests always arose from bed on the right side.

Saved by the Bell – Meaning: Saved from something bad at the last moment Origin: In olden times, people who were considered to be dead were buried immediately. But, quite often, the unfortunate person wasn’t dead but perhaps in a coma or deep sleep. A string was attached to the person’s hand, and that string was connected to a bell situated above the grave, which allowed someone who was actually still alive to ring the bell so they could be dug up. Morbid, but quite valuable.