Expressions inspired by the body

Anatomy of language: Exploring the origins of our most vivid expressions

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It’s curious how often language uses parts of the body as metaphors for expressing complex or abstract ideas. Can you easily think of a synonym for a "knee-jerk reaction" or for a "brainstorm"? We are well acquainted with the mechanics of our body parts, but when did we decide on the meanings of "heartfelt" or "footnote"? Let’s explore the history of these everyday terms and decode the symbolism of our anatomy.

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The marks our steps leave behind have been called "footprints," whether literally or figuratively, for at least a few centuries. The literal meaning first appears in records from the mid-16th century, notably in the work of English lexicographer Richard Huloet in 1552.

The idea that humans, as they move through life, leave behind a "digital footprint" or "carbon footprint" is far more recent, gaining popularity in the last 50 years. The term invites us to visualize the impact of one’s actions as something tangible—like a footprint in the sand. But why choose the feet, and not "handprints" or "fingerprints"? Perhaps because modern society often associates footprints with marks that are both significant and enduring, like those left by the first astronauts on the Moon.

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When the tendon just below the kneecap is tapped, the leg’s reaction can surprise even us. This is known as the patellar reflex—an automatic, involuntary response. Over time, an impulsive response—such as abruptly changing the subject, leaving a room, or making a snarky remark—came to be described as a "knee-jerk reaction."

The first medical studies of the patellar reflex took place in the 19th century, and the "knee-jerk" metaphor gained popularity about a hundred years later. Ironically, while the neurological test indicates healthy nerve function, the term "knee-jerk" is often used pejoratively to describe reactions that are far from ideal.

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This word suggests that having a "strong head" is synonymous with being stubborn, rigid, obstinate, or even "hardheaded." If you are called bull-headed, pig-headed, or single-minded, you’re receiving a similar critique.

But what about the head made it a symbol of intransigence? These expressions draw on the metaphor of using one’s head as a battering ram—much like a bull charging forward. Unlike "pig-headed," however, headstrong is not always negative; it can also describe someone determined and persistent enough to achieve their goals.

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When it first appeared in the late 19th century, brainstorm had a very different meaning—it described a sudden, irrational burst of mental activity, or even temporary insanity. Then, in 1948, advertising leader Alex Faickney Osborn gave it a new life in his book Your Creative Power, introducing "brainstorming" as a group creativity technique.

In this new sense, the word stood for a flurry of free-flowing ideas. Osborn’s method encouraged team members to propose solutions without judgment or self-censorship—every idea was welcome. Today, brainstorm has broadened further, describing not only collaborative sessions but also any solo burst of creative thinking and problem-solving.

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There was a time when agricultural products had to be not only selected but also plucked one by one, by hand—a symbol of careful, thoughtful selection. That patient craftsmanship gave rise to the word handpick as early as the 1780s.

The adjective handpicked and the figurative use of the verb developed later, in a more modern context. Today, we use handpicked to describe any curated selection—from a guest list to an eclectic arrangement of furniture—even if no actual hands were involved in the choosing.

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In ancient times, the heart was believed to be the source of emotion, thought, and love. Even after medicine revealed this to be inaccurate, the idea had already taken deep root in human culture.

The word heartfelt first appears in records around 1703, describing profoundly sincere emotions. Interestingly, the expression is almost exclusively used as an adjective. It never quite evolved into a verb or noun—you’d rarely hear of someone heartfeeling their apologies or congratulations.

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In the latter half of the 20th century, brainwashing captured the public imagination through spy thrillers and dystopian works such as George Orwell’s 1984 (1949) and films like The Manchurian Candidate (1962) or A Clockwork Orange (1972). The image was chilling yet vivid—a mind scrubbed clean of its beliefs, ready to be rewritten.

The term’s real-world origins are far from fictional. Journalist Edward Hunter is credited with popularizing brainwash in his reports on the Korean War, describing how U.S. soldiers captured by Chinese forces were allegedly subjected to intense psychological reconditioning. The expression is a direct translation of the Chinese phrase xǐnăo (洗脑), meaning "to wash the brain."

Credit: Karolina Kaboompics

Marginal annotations have existed for as long as texts themselves. Even handwritten manuscripts bore commentaries in their margins, left by readers, scholars, or dissenters. When such annotated works were transcribed, these remarks were often moved to the "foot" of the page—the very bottom of the text.

The practice proved just as useful after the invention of the printing press. Footnotes allowed authors and editors to add material even after the main body had been set in type. Over time, that space at the bottom became a strategic place for citations, clarifications, or tangential observations. Many languages, including Spanish and German, share with English this same metaphor: the extra note at the foot of the page is a footnote.

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How did a beat of the heart come to mean an attractive person? Though heartbeat and heartthrob don’t seem closely related, heartthrob first appeared in the early 19th century, initially describing very strong emotions rather than the literal function of the organ.

By the 1900s, however, it evolved to describe someone who inspired those intense feelings in others. It wasn’t long before the term was applied to glamorous actors during Hollywood’s rise, cementing its meaning as charismatic men who made audiences swoon. Over time, heartthrob has continued to evolve, and today it commonly refers to people of any gender, celebrity status, or occupation.

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The backbone has a fundamental function: to carry the weight of our body, enable movement, and keep us upright. The term has been known since at least the 15th century to refer to the literal spinal column—the series of vertebrae. But its figurative use came later.

By the 18th century, backbone had transformed into a symbol of inner strength, willpower, and even leadership or protection within a group. A resilient person might be said to have "grown a backbone," and a dependable worker is often called the "backbone of the team."

Fun festive feast

Gobble up these 10 Thanksgiving words to make the holiday extra special!

Credit: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Have you ever wondered about the special language of Thanksgiving? There’s a time of year when certain words are heard more frequently—turkey, dressing, gratitude… Do they ring any bells? This holiday is more than just turkey, family gatherings, and football games; it’s a time stuffed with unique words that make perfect sense in the spirit of the season. Thanksgiving vocabulary is as rich as the meal itself. Join us as we explore 10 Thanksgiving-related words that carry meanings, histories, and fun trivia. Are you ready? Let’s go!

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Bounty is one of those words that instantly brings to mind Thanksgiving’s spirit of giving. Essentially, bounty means "a generous gift" or "abundance," so there is no other word more suitable than this one for a holiday dedicated to gratitude. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to celebrate the bounty of food, family, and friendship that fills our lives.

The word bounty has been around since the 1200s and traces its roots to the Latin word bonitas, meaning "goodness." It’s not just about quantity, but also quality, and during Thanksgiving, we get both. Don’t you think?

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The classic side dish that completes any Thanksgiving meal goes by two names: dressing or stuffing, and the choice of word depends largely on where you’re from.

"Dressing" originally referred to preparing a fowl for roasting—a term that gained popularity during the Victorian era, when "stuffing" was considered too informal or crude.

Nowadays, we don’t worry much about that, and the terms are almost interchangeable. Some people say stuffing if it’s cooked inside the turkey, and dressing if it’s served on the side. We don’t know about you, but we’re on that team—it just makes sense!

Either way, the debate (a tale as old as time) doesn’t really matter. It’s all about enjoying the food!

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When you think of Thanksgiving, certain elements just pop into your mind, right? The cornucopia—or "horn of plenty"—is one of them. It’s one of Thanksgiving’s most iconic images, typically shown overflowing with autumn fruits and vegetables.

The origins of the cornucopia trace back to classical mythology and a goat named Amalthaea, whose horn was said to produce endless food and drink. Adopted as a symbol of Thanksgiving, the cornucopia represents abundance and the generous gifts of the season.

The word itself combines the Latin terms cornu ("horn") and copia ("plenty"). First recorded in English in the late 1500s, cornucopia has come to represent overflowing harvests and hearty feasts.

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Before it became a popular Thanksgiving 5K race, the Turkey Trot was actually a quirky dance—and it still is! This lively jig first appeared in the early 1900s and featured a bouncy, almost prancing step, with dancers moving their shoulders up and down in sync.

Today’s Turkey Trot usually refers to a 5K race held on Thanksgiving morning, but whether it’s a race or a dance, the joyful spirit is the same. Both let your body move and feel free, right before you stuff it with a delicious meal!

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We may not do any actual harvesting on Thanksgiving today, but the holiday is still all about celebrating the harvest, even if most of us now gather goodies from the supermarket rather than the fields.

The word harvest, which dates back to before the year 950, originally referred to the season of gathering crops. It was a major event in every agricultural society, marking the time to prepare for the colder months ahead. The Old English word _hærfest_—a cousin of the German Herbst, meaning "autumn"—evolved into the word we use today.

Harvest time was once a communal event, when families and neighbors worked together to bring in crops before winter. Today, we simply prepare to enjoy a cozy evening surrounded by loved ones.

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No article about Thanksgiving would be complete without a reference to gratitude. After all, at its core, Thanksgiving is all about that, and the word has been part of the English language since the early 1400s.

Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you"; it reflects a genuine appreciation for the people, privileges, and joys in our lives. It’s also a tradition—and a cherished part of the evening—to take a moment to share the things we’re grateful for.

For example, we’re thankful for our readers. What about you?

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Nothing says autumn quite like a gourd—or should we say gourds? After all, they come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. These hard-shelled beauties are often confused with squashes, though gourds are usually reserved for decoration rather than dinner.

The word gourd dates back to the late 13th century, with roots in Middle English and Old French (gourde or coorde). Unlike pumpkins or butternut squash, gourds are typically hollow with a tough outer shell—perfect for fall displays but a bit tricky to eat. They may not end up on the Thanksgiving table, but they definitely help set the scene for the season.

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If your family has a "who gets the drumstick" showdown every Thanksgiving, you’re not alone—we all respect our traditions. This meaty turkey leg gets its name from its resemblance to a real drumstick, the kind musicians use.

The term has been around since the late 1600s, when people began noticing that a fowl’s leg looked a lot like the stick used to beat a drum. These days, nobody really thinks about the resemblance—we all just agree that a good drumstick is a prize at the Thanksgiving table.

For many, snagging the drumstick feels like winning a little Thanksgiving victory—and maybe a sign that the odds are in your favor for the rest of the day!

Credit: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family, but these days, it’s increasingly common to celebrate with your chosen family for special events. And by chosen family, of course, we mean friends. That’s where Friendsgiving comes in.

This gathering has grown in popularity over the past few decades, and the best part is that Friendsgiving often happens a day or two before Thanksgiving. That means people can celebrate with their close friends before heading off to family gatherings.

Thanks to this, we must admit, we get the best of both worlds. Friends are family too, don’t you think?

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Yeah, yeah, we all know turkey and love it—it’s the main course, the number one option for any family during Thanksgiving. But hear us out: deboned turkey stuffed with a deboned duck, which is stuffed with a deboned chicken—would you be willing to try that?

That’s turducken! The word turducken is a blend (or portmanteau, to be specific) of turkey, duck, and chicken. Though turkey usually reigns supreme, turducken has gained popularity among anyone looking to impress with something bold and hearty. We’ve never tried it, but we’re definitely impressed already!