Crystal, David. Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010.
The now commonly-used English idiom “bottomless pit” (for something that holds a very large amount of something) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (spelled as bottomlesse pytt) for the Greek abussos. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 289)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “woe is me” (for an — often ironic — exclamation of lamentation for one’s misfortune) was first coined in 1610 in the Douay Rheims Version. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 269)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
See also Woe to us!
The now commonly-used English idiom “fallen from grace” (meaning to fall out of favor, often due a tarnished reputation) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 286)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “the powers that be” (meaning the people who decide what is allowed or acceptable) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. In Tyndale it appears in Romans 13:2 but refers to exousia ousai in verse 13:1. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 282)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English term “scapegoat” (meaning a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others) was first coined in 1530 in the English Pentateuch translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling scapegoote). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 278)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “fell flat on his face” (meaning to mAke an embarrassing mistake) was first coined in 1530 in the English Pentateuch translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling fell flatt on his face). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 278)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “put the words in one’s mouth” (meaning a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others) was first coined in 1395 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling puttide the wordis in hir mouth). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 279)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “two-edged sword” (meaning something that offers both a good and bad consequence) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 279)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
See also two-edged sword.