Think This Phrase Is Obscene? The Real Meaning Will Surprise You!

As a history nerd, I have always been fascinated by the origins of words and phrases.

In many cases, the words and phrases we toss around today have origins that date back hundreds of years.

For example, "learning the ropes" is a phrase that dates back to the days when sailing was the primary method of transport for both passengers and cargo.  New crewmembers needed to learn all of the ropes and knots needed to sail the ship.  So, they were literally learning the ropes.

Or, how about "break the ice"?  According to Grammarly, the phrase comes from the days when ships transporting goods would sometimes get stuck in the ice.

The article explains:

The receiving country would send small ships to “break the ice” to clear a way for the trade ships. This gesture showed affiliation and understanding between two territories.

This really makes sense, but sometimes when we think we know the origin of a phrase we end up being completely incorrect.

Balls to the Wall

Every time I hear this phrase, it makes me cringe just a little bit because I think about it in an anatomical way.  However, the phrase has nothing to do with the male anatomy.

According to various sources, including The Slate, the phrase has its origins with United States fighter pilots.

In reality, it is a reference to pushing the rubber balls on the plane's throttle all the way to the cockpit's firewall.  This brings the plane's engines to full power, which makes it go faster.

How old is the phrase?  While many people say it was first used during the Vietnam War, some veterans claim that they were using it during WW2.