These days, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps means to succeed on your own, through sheer will and hard work. It originally meant something quite different, but what? Read more to find out.

This expression is frequently dished out as advice to do more than is required, in order to impress the boss. In its original context, however, “going the extra mile” is much more than simply a way to get ahead in a competitive world.

Your mom might have used this saying to explain why you have to take your little brother when you go to the movies with your buddies. Well, you can tell your mom that this 3,000 year-old adage doesn't mean that at all. What does it mean, then?

This saying is frequently invoked as a testament of vigilant and aggressive patriotism. But, if the expression wasn’t intended to promote an all-or-nothing form of patriotism, what does it mean?

The phrase was penned by the Roman poet Horace in 23 BCE, making it one of the oldest philosophical mottos in western culture. Unfortunately, it’s also the most misinterpreted Latin tag ever.

This well-loved adage doesn't mean what you probably think it means. Find out what the Founding Fathers actually had in mind here...