It’s now the Holiday season — we have Thanksgiving coming up, and then Christmas.

Lots of people spend time with their family during the holiday season.

So with that, this week’s phrase is “blood is thicker than water.”

Blood is thicker than water: What does it mean?

This is an English proverb that means “family relationships are more important than friends.”

In other words: family first, friends second.

Simple Enough, right?

A Funny Note:

In today’s world, blood is thicker than water definitely means “family first.”

However, some scholars say that this phrase comes from the ancient phrase “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”

This ancient (original) phrase refers to blood from a battlefield, which means blood from soldiers, comrades, friends, and probably NOT family.  The water in this phrase (water of the womb) means family.

In other words, this phrase changed to opposite meanings over time!

• Original proverb: The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
  • Meaning: Friends (comrades) over family.
• Modern Proverb: Blood is thicker than water.
  • Meaning: Family over friends.

I just thought this was an interesting note, and if you hear the phrase today, it will always have the meaning of “family first and friends second.”

Isn’t it interesting how languages can change over time?

Examples:

Daughter: “Mom, I can’t celebrate your birthday tonight. I have a date with a cute guy I just met.”

Mom: “No, you cannot go out on a date! You have to celebrate my birthday. Blood is thicker than water!”

 

John always puts his family first. For him, blood is definitely thicker than water.

Action:

Do you have any similar phrases in your native language? Let me know in the comments.

As always, thanks for reading!

Ryan

 

 

 

Photo Credit:

Connor Gaston