The now commonly-used English idiom “out of the mouth of babes and sucklings” (to day that Children are capable of saying wise, insightful, or mature things) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible (spelled as by the mouth of babes and sucklings). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 269)
In Russian, the idiom, also in its shorter form устами младенцев (ustami mladentsev — “out of mouth of babes”) is one of the most often-used idioms in the Russian language today (over 3 million Google hits), and hardly any of these usages have any connection to the Bible: it is the title of a TV show, of numerous collections of funny phrases uttered by kids, the name of the online store for children, the name of an educational game, etc. The wording of the initial quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 7)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “suffer fools gladly” (meaning to deal with or tolerate ignorant people or behavior) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling suffre foles gladly). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 283)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “two are better than one” (meaning that it is easier for two people who help each other to solve a problem than it is for one person to solve a problem alone) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 274)
In Russian, the expression одна голова хорошо, а две лучше (odna golova khorosho, a dve luchshe — “one head is good but two heads are better”) is very popular today as well. It is also subject to all kinds of adaptations, for example: одна голова хорошо, а с туловищем лучше (odna golova khorosho, a s tulovishchem luchshe — “one head is fine, but with the body it is better”). The initial wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 11)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “physician heal thyself” (meaning to attend to one’s own faults rather than pointing out the faults of others) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 287)
In Russian, the phrase врач! исцели Самого Себя (vrach! istseli Samogo Sebya) is also widely used as an idiom in every-day life. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 65.)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “sheep’s clothing” (meaning a person pretending to be harmless) was made popular in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 280)
In Russian, this phrase (Если слепой ведет слепого — Yesli slepoy vedet slepogo) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 12)
In Latvian, the phrase vilks avju drēbēs or “wolf in sheep’s clothing” has become part of the standard lexicon, going back to the 1682 New Testament translation by Ernst Glück (source: Pēteris Vanags in Glück’s landmark translation of the Bible into Latvian ).
The now commonly-used English idiom “from strength to strength” (for describing something that is increasingly successful or improved) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 289)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “money is the root of all evil” (meaning the desire to obtain and amass money is the ultimate reason humans do evil things) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible (in the spelling (the desire of) money is the roote of all euill). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 283)
In Russian, this phrase (Ибо корень всех зол есть сребролюбие — Ibo koren’ vsekh zol yest’ srebrolyubiye) is also widely-used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 45)
The now commonly-used English idiom “eye to eye” (for being in agreement with someone) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 275)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
