Sock inspired phrases and where they came from

Socks may seem like a simple accessory, but their history is as rich and varied as the cultures that have worn them. Even though the first socks were found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 500 AD, it wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that really marked a significant turning point in the history of socks.

When the knitting machine became widespread in the 1800s, this revolutionised sock production, making them more affordable and available to the general public. As socks became commonplace, so too did idioms and phrases on this very item.

Here are some common expressions involving custom branded socks and the interesting etymology behind them.

Sock it to them

The idiom of “sock it to them” comes from an older slang use of the word sock, meaning to hit or punch. To ‘sock it to someone’ also means to tell them bad news in a straightforward or direct manner. The colloquial verb to sock dates from about 1700, but its ultimate origin has been lost.

One of the earliest usages in literature was found in Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court in 1889. The Yankee (narrator) is describing an argument over comparative prices and salary and says, “I prepared, now, to sock it to him. I said: ‘Look here, dear friend, what’s become of your high wages you were bragging about?’” It was later popularised by the 1964 song "Sock It to Me Baby" by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

Put a sock in it

To ‘put a sock in it’ means to be quiet. It is used to tell someone to be quiet in a forceful manner. Its origins are quite interesting and have a few possible explanations. The idiom ‘put a sock in it’ began to gain popularity in the early 20th century. Before then, a theory links the phrase to the early days of phonographs and gramophones. 

These early sound-recording devices used horns to amplify sound. If a sock was placed in the horn, it would dampen the sound. This practical application likely contributed to the idiom’s metaphorical use, suggesting that one should "muffle" their voice or be quieter.

Knock your socks off

Something that will “knock your socks off” means that it will impress and amaze you. The phrase originally had negative connotations as it was first documented in the southern states in America in the 1940s, where the phrase referred to beating somebody in a fight. However, as time went one, it began to acquire more positive connotations. 

One major factor in popularising the phrase in a positive light was an ad campaign done by Pepsi-Cola in the mid-1960s. Pepsi-Cola had purchased Mountain Dew, a regional Southern soft drink, which got its name from a Southern slang term for moonshine whiskey. Playing on its southern roots, Pepsi launched an ad campaign using the stereotype that Southern people liked to go barefoot. The ad encouraged users to embrace the summertime barefoot feeling by buying Mountain Dew which would then “knock your socks off.”

Pull your socks up 

The phrase to “pull your socks up” is a common English expression that means to improve one's performance or behaviour, especially when facing criticism or a challenge. It conveys a sense of urgency and encouragement to take action and make an effort to rectify a situation.

It was first used in 1893 in H. F. McLelland’s Jack & Beanstalk, stating “Pull up your socks! I'll see naught goes wrong with you.” The idiom started to gain popularity in the late 19th to early 20th century. It draws from the visual image of someone who needs to get their socks into place before engaging in an activity, implying that they should also “get their act together” before proceeding.

Bless your cotton socks

This particularly sweet saying is a term of affection for something nice that someone has done. The expression is also a way of suggesting innocence or lack of guile in the person being so addressed.

In 1858, George Edward Lynch Cotton was the Bishop of Calcutta, India. As he had established schools for Eurasian children, he didn’t want his students running around barefoot so he organised socks to be delivered. Cotton, as a religious man, was known to bless all the equipment used in his schools. He requested donations of warm socks and they were dutifully knitted and sent to Calcutta labelled “Cotton’s socks for blessing”. Since language has a habit of changing overtime, “Cotton’s socks” morphed into “cotton socks”. 

Over time, socks have evolved significantly, reflecting changes in technology, economy, and style. In just the way socks have evolved, so too has the idioms in the English language. One thing is certain, sock idioms add a playful or vivid touch to the language, making expressions more memorable and engaging.