Why Do We Say That?

You’re or Your ?

You’re is a contraction for “you are,” as in You’re going to love this pineapple pizza.

Your shows ownership, as in Your pineapple pizza is delicious.

If you’re/your planning a surprise party for you’re/your dad and you accidentally mention it to him, you might say, “Oh no! I spilled the beans!” What you mean is you revealed information that was supposed to be kept secret.

This idiom’s origins may go back to ancient Greece, where people voted by placing dried beans in a jar: white for yes, black or brown for no. If someone accidentally tipped over the jar and spilled the beans, everyone would know how many of each vote had been cast.

If you’re/your in the limelight, you’re/your the focus of public attention—like an actor who is always being photographed. But what does being the center of attention have to do with limes? 

The answer is . . . nothing. This idiom comes from a type of stage lighting used in the 1800s. A bright white light was produced by heating a substance called calcium oxide—also known as quicklime or just lime. The actors standing in the middle of the stage were said to be standing in the limelight.  

To show you’re/your true colors is to show you’re/your true character, feelings, or intentions, as in “You’re/Your cousin seemed laid-back. Then she showed her true colors as a fierce competitor who will do anything to win.”

The idiom comes from the 18th-century nautical world. Back then, ships flew flags to identify their home country. A ship’s flags were known as its colors. Sometimes a ship would trick an enemy into letting it get close by flying the flag of a different country. Just before attacking, the ship would lower the false flag and hoist its true colors. Sneaky!