
Tracking the evolution of language is an extremely fascinating and insightful way to understand how human communication has been influenced by various events throughout history. Most commonly used languages have now been around for hundreds of years, although there have been constant alterations since then, either involving new words, grammatical tweaks or novel changes in meaning.
While these shifts can happen naturally over time, pivotal events can fast-track language development with new phrases and words. Some of history’s most impactful events haven’t just changed the course of humanity in practical ways, they’ve also changed the way we communicate. Just consider the age-old phrase “keep calm and carry on” originating from the London Blitz during WWII or one of the many Shakespearean terms that have become common since the 16th century.
Once you start digging, it can be immensely difficult to stop. Searching the foundations of our languages for clues on how or why we say certain things is truly captivating, illustrating some of the ways that humanity has evolved. With all this in mind, we’ve gone on a deep dive to find some of the most notorious events throughout history and how they’ve influenced language. Keep reading for the lowdown.
Striking gold and the California Gold Rush
The phrase “struck gold” is commonplace nowadays and provides the perfect way to describe moments where everything seems to be going just right. But where does it come from? While gold has been a precious commodity since close to the beginning of time, “striking gold” dates back to the extremely exciting California Gold Rush.
Thousands of hopefuls flooded the state between 1848 and 1855, hoping to quite literally strike gold and change their fortunes overnight. More than a century later, saying someone has “struck gold” is reflective of that era’s wild hope and ambition, where it really was possible for dreams to come true thanks to the discovery of gold.
The curious tale of Wild Bill Hickok
Ever played poker and felt the thrill of holding a “dead man’s hand”? Made up of a pair of black aces and eights, it has become a powerful cultural symbol of fate, danger and the wild unpredictability of life. The iconic hand and phrase trace back to Wild Bill Hickock, a gunslinger famous for his murderous adventures in the Wild West.
Hickock was a renowned sharpshooter and larger-than-life character with a passion for poker, but it was this very passion that eventually caused his demise. The gunslinger’s last ever hand was a pair of aces and eights. He was shot in the back before he could finish the round, with his fingers still wrapped around the cards. If you want to learn more about the dead man’s hand and what it means for modern poker fans, head over to casinomeister.com/blog/.
Attritional trench warfare during World War I
World War I changed the entire world in many ways. Pivotal powers in Europe were heading towards conflict long before the start of the 1914-1918 war, as the age of colonialism waned and new technology pushed the boundaries of what many people thought possible. The attritional trench warfare that characterized much of the devastating war influenced language in many ways, with the phrase “no man’s land” being one of the most striking examples.
The phrase was used to describe the deadly stretch of ground between trench lines but has remained a core part of the English language ever since. Crossing “no man’s land” was often a futile attempt to break the deadlock that would almost always end with inevitable death. As a result, the phrase has a certain negative connotation that is difficult to ignore.
The Salem witch trials
Ever wondered where the phrase “witch hunt” comes from? As historians will tell you, describing something as a “witch hunt” is widely considered to have stemmed from the Salem witch trials in 1692. Taking place at the end of the 17th century in the early Massachusetts colonies, this notorious event led to the wrongful execution of 30 “witches” or conspirators in an atmosphere of sheer religious-induced paranoia.
These were strange times characterized by the church’s fear of paganism making it increasingly suspicious of any behavior that threatened the established order. Baseless evidence was often used to condemn innocent victims, with this climate of extreme paranoia even leading to forced confessions. The term “witch hunt” is an enduring reminder of the dangers of mob mentality and hysteria.
World War II and the Blitz
“Keep calm and carry on” is more than just a catchy phrase used to promote British culture and traditions. It has its roots in the devastating German air raids on the UK during WWII. The government coined the phrase to galvanize the general public and ensure morale remained as high as possible. In the end, it truly worked. The British people indeed kept calm and carried on, moving from being the last European holdout against Nazi Germany to a key force in the Allied victory.
The Blitz brought nightly bombing raids to London and other major cities, causing untold ruin and devastation. However, in the face of adversity, British stoicism was unwavering. While you cannot attribute this solely to the phrase “keep calm and carry on”, there’s no denying its enduring impact even now.
Ancient Greek mythology
The fact that some popular phrases still used today stem from over two thousand years ago is testimony to the ancient world’s enduring legacy. “Pandora’s box” is one of the most widely used, referring to an unforeseen source of chaos and confusion. Opening the box is normally done out of curiosity, but once open, it’s impossible to deal with the fallout.
Pandora was the first woman created by the gods, and as the story goes, she was given a box with instructions to never open it. She was unable to silence her growing curiosity of what was in there, eventually opening the box and releasing various evils into the world.