NIAGARA, Wis. — Every language has “idiomatic expressions,” which are phrases that make no apparent sense when translated exactly. English is no exception, as we use a variety of unique phrases every day. Today I wanted to use this column to look at some of these phrases and explain how they became part of our language.

Many of our favorite figures of speech are rooted in the old superstitions of our ancestors: fears, beliefs, and traditions that haven’t quite faded away. Following are the explanations of the origins of 10 phrases we use all of the time.

1. Bless You. When someone sneezes, “bless you” is our automatic response. This tradition began in the 6th century, primarily thanks to Pope Gregory the Great, who ordered the saying of “God bless you” to protect people from the plague, as sneezing was considered an early symptom of sickness. Some also trace it back to an ancient belief, shared across Europe and Asia, that a sneeze was the body’s way of driving out evil spirits, or even the soul briefly trying to escape. According to the legend, saying “God bless you” was a quick, necessary prayer to protect the sneezer’s soul from being snatched by the devil before it settled back in.

2. Cross Your Fingers. This phrase is a common way of wishing for a positive outcome. It originated in the 16th-century Christian practice of physically crossing one’s fingers to signify the cross and ask for divine protection. Over time, this hand gesture evolved from a silent, pious prayer into a casual expression. Now, we use it in everyday conversation to show support for a friend or to signal that we are counting on a specific, desired result during a stressful situation.

3. Break a Leg. I have always found this to be a very odd expression to use when wishing someone good luck on stage. Its origins are surprisingly murky for such a well-known phrase. The most widely accepted theory traces it back to the competitive world of American vaudeville and Broadway in the early 20th century, where wishing someone good luck directly would actually invite bad luck. Saying the opposite was a way of outsmarting fate.

4. Speak of the Devil. We use this phrase almost automatically. The moment someone walks into a room right after being mentioned in conversation, someone inevitably says it. The expression is a shortening of a traditional English proverb, “speak of the devil, and he shall appear,” which dates back to at least the 1500s-1600s. The original meaning was far less casual: it was a genuine warning rooted in the medieval Christian belief that speaking of evil, even in passing, was thought to invite it into your life.

5. Saved By the Bell. Imagine your boss is about to call on you to present a report you completely forgot to prepare, but just as he turns to you, an urgent call comes in, and the meeting gets cancelled. Being saved by the bell means to be rescued from a difficult situation at the very last second. Due to a 19th-century custom, bells were attached to coffins to alert people in case someone woke up, reflecting the widespread fear at the time of being buried alive. It is a perfect example of a dark, historical anxiety morphing into a lighthearted, everyday piece of office humor.

6. Throwing Caution to the Wind. There’s no single origin story for this expression. It likely evolved from the general cultural association between wind and chaos. Today, the expression means to act recklessly or boldly, ignoring risks. The phrase draws from a long tradition of wind-related phrases in English that associate wind with unpredictability and lack of control. Think “gone with the wind” or “which way the wind blows.” In seafaring culture, “throwing caution to the wind” may also connect to the idea of sailing recklessly by putting up too much sail despite dangerous conditions: essentially letting the wind take over rather than navigating carefully.

7. Friday the 13th. The phrase “it must be a Friday the 13th” has become a common way to complain about a day when everything goes wrong. It draws on the combined superstitions surrounding the number 13, often linked to the 13 guests at the Last Supper and the perceived misfortune of Friday, the day of the Crucifixion. When we use this expression, we aren’t necessarily expressing deep fear; we are simply using a culturally shared shorthand to describe a series of unfortunate, coincidental events.

8. Like Walking Through a Mine Field. We often use this phrase to describe a social situation that is incredibly tense and filled with hidden dangers. While it sounds like a literal warning, it has become a common expression for navigating tricky interpersonal politics. The phrase originated in the early 20th century, specifically around World War I (about 1915), when the use of landmines became a terrifying new reality of modern warfare. It quickly shifted from a military term to a popular metaphor.

9. Find a Penny, Pick It Up. This phrase continues “and all day long you’ll have good luck.” It turns an ordinary discovery into a superstitious event. The underlying belief likely traces back to ancient societies across Europe and Asia, who saw metal as a sacred gift from the gods, forged from the earth itself. Finding a piece of it was no accident; it was a sign of divine favor. By the early 20th century, it evolved to include the penny. Today, reciting this phrase demonstrates our enduring, playful hope for a little extra luck.

10. Knock On Wood. When we say “knock on wood,” we express a hopeful desire for continued good fortune or to ward off bad luck after boasting. It’s just a reflexive, superstitious way to keep the bad luck at bay, even if we’re only knocking on a laminated desk. One popular theory traces it to ancient pagan cultures, particularly those that regarded trees as sacred or inhabited by spirits — a belief found across pre-Christian Europe, from Norse to Celtic traditions. By knocking on the trunk, people hoped to awaken these benevolent spirits to request protection, or sometimes to distract malicious ones from spoiling their good fortune. However, folklorists note there is little concrete evidence for this, and the true origin remains uncertain.

I am sure that each of you can add phrases used within your own families when you were growing up. I remember a couple that my mother used whenever my sister and I got the giggles… “Laughing girls and cackling hens soon will come to some bad end.” and “Laugh before supper, cry before bed.” I am sure she heard these as she was growing up. I don’t know what the Germans had against laughter, but apparently it was frowned upon as frivolous behavior!

Source: Dictionary Scoop

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: “Price Is Right” on CBS, 10 a.m.; movie in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Bowling, 10 a.m.; coffee visit, 11 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: White board, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 11:30 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; karaoke, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games in the dining room, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on the Game Show Network channel, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; reminisce, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9:30 a.m.; DT luncheon, 11:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bonfire, 1:30 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday: No information provided.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; movie and manicures, 2 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Heartland show, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; senior prom, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; “shut the box” game, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Wii games, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Ginger Snap Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; International Joke Day — telling jokes in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; resident council meeting, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; water painting/manicures, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Chocolate Wafer Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Flippo, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Fourth of July Parade, 8:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee, 1:30 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee trivia, 10 a.m.; individual communion, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; bocce, 2 p.m.; Baptist church family sing along, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; left-center-right, 10 p.m.; courtyard campfire, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; yard Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; trivia challenge, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; Fourth of July craft, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana — dirty orange soda, 2 p.m.

Friday: Dog days of summer begin, yard Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Pictionary, 10 a.m.; courtyard social, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; root beer floats, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; travelogue, 11 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour/who, what, where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday through Saturday: No information provided.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chili, grilled cheese, cole slaw.

Wednesday: Bacon-lettuce-tomato wrap, cheesy potatoes, salad.

Thursday: Barbecue chicken, baked potato, vegetable.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Friday meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Lemon chicken and rice, broccoli, applesauce.

Tuesday: Philly sloppy Joes, baked fries, baked beans.

Wednesday: Garlic linguine with fish, green beans, dinner roll.

Thursday: Sausage and cheese pizza, California blend vegetables, breadstick, pudding.

Crystal Falls Center

906-875-6709

The center serves meals for dine-in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken enchiladas.

Tuesday: Roast pork, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Wednesday: Salisbury steak with mushrooms and gravy, mashed potatoes.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 244

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Ribette sandwich, potato wedges, corn.

Wednesday: Garlic linguine with fish, green beans, dinner roll.

Thursday: Mushroom and Swiss burger, oven-baked fries, macaroni and cheese.

Friday: Chicken salad on a croissant, crackers, string cheese, banana.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards – Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559

Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899. 

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.

Menu for the week –

Monday: Cod sandwich, baked potato wedges.

Tuesday: Philly cheese steak, tater tots.

Wednesday: Turkey gravy over stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Turkey ranch wrap, tomato soup, cole slaw, fruit.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, carrot raisin salad, fruit.

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, spinach orange salad, garlic bread, fruit, brownies.

Thursday: Barbecue chicken, baked beans, potato salad, summer corn salad, watermelon.

Friday: Closed.

All meals are served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving on site Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving on site Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesdays only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals on Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Mushroom-Swiss burger, whole wheat hamburger bun, root vegetable blend, second vegetable, fruit cup.

Tuesday: Enchilada casserole, con and black beans, warm cinnamon apples, side salad with cheese and tomato.

Wednesday: Barbecue baked chicken, creamed corn, boiled red potatoes, fruited pudding, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Dinner beef frank, whole wheat hot dog bun, oven potatoes, warm applesauce, coleslaw.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Lunch served Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday is an evening meal. Salad bar open 4:30 p.m., with meal at 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, vegetable, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Pizza, breadstick.

Thursday: Ham, parsley potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Tuesday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Teriyaki chicken breast, brown rice, stir-fry vegetables, side salad, creamy fruit salad.

Wednesday: No information was available.

Thursday: No information was available.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. — those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans.

Tuesday: Meatballs, egg noodles, gravy, peas.

Wednesday: Breakfast bake, sausage links, hash browns, donut holes.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, cauliflower, garlic bread.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout meal is $6. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: No information.

Wednesday: Make your own sub sandwich.

Thursday: Cheeseburger, macaroni and cheese.