You can learn about a culture by the expressions people use.

Here in America, you hear many references to sports, especially baseball. “He went for some job interviews, but struck out again.” “Wow, they hit a home run with that new phone.”

In England, many expressions come from cricket and seafaring. “He found himself on a sticky wicket.” “He’s a loose cannon.”

Where would you expect to hear about something being “as sad as a meal without cheese?” Food-centric France, of course. “Triste comme un repas sans fromage.”

If you do not understand baseball, cricket or historic naval warfare, would you know what is meant? If you hear that someone is “three sheets to the wind,” you probably know they are drunk. Did you know that the sheets refer to the lines used to control sails?

I wonder how many of the expressions we use have historical or cultural significance that has been all but forgotten. Do you know the origins of the expressions you use?