Common phrases you might be using incorrectly

English is a tricky language to master, especially now that it's the language of the commons. It's constantly evolving and sometimes by those who don't understand it's nuances; so often some phases are misunderstood by the masses and the meaning changes from the original meaning. Here are some of them

The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb

While the commonly used phrase is used to show that one's family, ones 'blood' and the bond you share with them is stronger, the original meant the opposite.

Blood of the covenent means the promises you've sworn and and water of the womb means the one's you're related to. The true meaning of the whole phrase is that the bond you make and promise to are stronger than the relations you're born with.

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.

The incomplete quote clearly warns against being too inquisitive but the complete version actually encourages it. It sounds like an admonition from tired parents or controlling regimes to discourage questions and the spread of knowledge. Originally the quote might have meant to discourage curiosity but it has been reclaimed.

Jack of all trades, master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one

The incomplete phase seems to look down upon those who have varied but incomplete knowledge while the original seems to look down on those who have mastery one subject but less general knowledge.

Great minds think alike, though fools seldom differ.

The abbreviated phase seems to imply that there is a common pattern of thinking amoung those who are great, but when completed it actually means that it's often those who are wrong that are far more similar and that individuality is great.

Birds of a feather flock together - until the cat comes.

This seems to imply that one should find solace and with those who are similar to them but when completed it's actually a warning against superficial relationships.