279. Indian Mutiny, the Cat-O’-Nine-Tails, and Mercury Poisoning: The Surprising Origins of English Idioms! (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Thinking in English
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The Surprising Origins of English Idioms
The speaker discusses the story of Corbett, a soldier who disobeyed orders and killed John Wilkes Booth, and reflects on the possibility of his strange behavior being the result of mercury poisoning as a hatter. They also explore the origins of idioms like 'bite the bullet,' 'cat got your tongue,' and 'mad as a hatter,' linking them to medical treatments, punishments inflicted on sailors, and long-term mercury poisoning.
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