The English language is replete with idioms, sayings, and expressions of which a surprising number originate or were made popular from the King James Version of the Bible. The words of this Bible translation have become imbedded in our common speech, yet we often speak biblical phrases daily without realizing we are quoting or alluding directly to the Bible. Some of the hundreds of examples that can be found in Steven McCalip's work, Where'd That Come From? Everyday Expressions Found in the Bible include: "rise and shine", "give up the ghost", and "see eye to eye". The expressions and common sayings listed in this book are all considered to have been popular at one time or another by various authorities of English language studies. A major portion of this work has been dedicated to explaining the biblical context of these phrases. Each popular expression is highlighted in the Scripture in which it is found, and each expression's biblical meaning (when not obvious) is discussed as well. Helpful appendices contain less-detailed lists of biblical expressions from
Have you ever wondered where phrases like "the skin of my teeth" or "two heads are better than one" came from? Well, they are actually straight out of the Bible. Many common phrases in the English language have direct or close relations to verses in the Bible. Steven McCalip's book Where'd That Come From? describes each phrase's original context and usage in an educational and exciting way.
