Expressions, Gestures & Their Origin

Have you ever wonder where did some of the expressions come from? Or some gestures or symbols that we use, why do we use them? For example why do we say goodnight, sleep tight? Is it because it rhymes well together or for some other reason? Or the famous heart symbol which is used to show love. It metaphorically represents human heart but it does not even look closer to what human heart looks like. Here are some of the expressions, gestures and their origin.

Expression: Goodnight Sleep Tight

Meaning: sleep well

Origin: Back days bed frames were made by woven ropes. The ropes needed to be tight frequently. Thus came the expression goodnight, sleep tight.

Symbol: Love “Heart” Sign

Meaning: Red heart symbol represents the human heart metaphorically. It is used to express emotions “love and affection”.

Origin: There are different theories that suggest where did the heart shape come from? One suggestion is that there was a plant called Sliphium which is extinct now. The seeds of the Sliphium were used as birth control method. It is also believed that because of the high demand for its contraceptive use the plant went extinct. The seed of the plant looked like what is depicted as heart shape which is the reason why the heart symbol is associated with love and romance.

Hand Gesture: Middle Finger

Meaning: Showing someone a middle finger is an obscene and offensive hand gesture.

Origin: There are different suggestions where did the gesture come from and when did it become obscene? One thought is that the French threaten to cut off the middle fingers of English archers in the battle of Agincourt. But the English won the battle. The English soldiers raised their middle fingers to show the French they still have their middle fingers. Over the time the gesture evolved and became an offensive sign.

Hand Gesture: Fingers Crossed

Meaning: Fingers crossed is a hand gesture which is used to hope that everything goes well.

Origin: There are different suggestions where did the gesture come from? One thought is that prior to Christianity (as some Christians cross their fingers to ask for God's protection) the Pagans believed cross was a symbol of good luck. Initially two people would put their index fingers together to make a cross to invoke for good luck. Later on the gesture changed to one person crossing their two fingers together.

Expression: Son Of A Gun

Meaning: Son of a gun is an offensive but yet a polite way to call someone son of a b****.

Origin: During the British Colonization time, the British navy brought prostitutes and allowed them to have sex with soldiers. Any child who was born on the navy ship to a prostitute was documented as son of a gun. It used to be very offensive to call someone son of a gun but today the expression is not as offensive as it once was.

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