10 Everyday Phrases That Came From Weird Historical Events

7. "Let the Cat Out of the Bag": A Costly Mistake

The phrase "let the cat out of the bag" means to reveal a secret, often inadvertently. Its origins are traced back to the bustling markets of medieval England, where unscrupulous traders would substitute a cat for a piglet in a sack, deceiving buyers. The phrase likely arose from the moment of discovery when the buyer opened the bag only to find a cat instead of the expected piglet. This practice of deception gave rise to the metaphor of revealing a hidden truth or secret. The phrase's evolution from a literal act of fraud to a figurative expression of disclosure reflects the colourful history of trade and commerce, where language often mirrored people's everyday experiences.