The Origins of Sleepy Sayings: From 'Hit the Hay' to 'Counting Sheep'

Ever stop to wonder why we have peculiar idioms like "hit the hay" or "sleep tight"? These quirky phrases are so ingrained in our language that we don’t even question them or their apparent nonsensicalness. But each of these sayings has a backstory, and they’re often just as funny as they are old-fashioned. 

Let’s explore the origins of some of the most popular sleep-related sayings—because what better way to wind down before bed than with a little quirky history?

1. Hit the Hay

When we say "hit the hay," we’re just talking about going to bed—but why hay? Unless you’re a farmer or a horse, you probably don’t associate your mattress with dried grass.

This phrase actually dates back to the early 20th century, when mattresses were often stuffed with—you guessed it—hay or straw. So, people would often say they were going to “hit the hay”, meaning  they were headed for their rustic, somewhat scratchy, but undoubtedly cosy, hay-filled bed. These days, it just means you’re ready to collapse into your (hopefully more comfortable) modern mattress—like one of our luxuriously comfortable mattresses. No hay included, we promise.

Fun Fact: Before "hit the hay," people would say "hit the sack," which refers to the same thing. Although, sacks filled with hay? Not quite as sumptuous as memory foam.

2. Sleep Tight

Ah, "sleep tight." Usually followed by “don’t let the bedbugs bite,” this phrase conjures up an image of cosy, secure slumber (minus the bug situation, we hope). So, what does “sleep tight” mean?

In the 18th and 19th centuries, beds were made with ropes strung across a wooden frame. These ropes needed to be pulled tight to provide a firm mattress. If the ropes sagged, so did the mattress, leaving you with a less-than-ideal sleep. This resulted in many people saying “sleep tight”, meaning they were literally hoping your ropes were tightly strung for a better night’s sleep. Quite considerate, really!

Side Note: We guarantee no rope sagging with our beds. Solid wood craftsmanship, all the way.

3. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

While this might sound like advice for not disturbing your napping pooch, it’s actually about avoiding unnecessary conflict. 

What does “Let sleeping dogs lie” mean, exactly? Well, the phrase dates back to the Middle Ages and essentially means: don’t poke the bear—or, in this case, the dog. Back then, dogs were often used for protection, and waking one unexpectedly could result in a bite.

So, in essence, “Let sleeping dogs lie” is a way of saying, “Don’t stir up trouble.” In modern terms: avoid waking your partner during their nap, unless you want to feel their wrath.

Moral of the Story: If your significant other is peacefully dozing, don’t ask them where they hid the remote. Let them lie.

4. Catch Some Z's

There’s no historical mystery behind this one, but it’s still a classic. "Catching some Z's" became popular in the mid-20th century as a playful, cartoonish way to describe sleep, with "Zzz" being the onomatopoeia of snoozing. 

So, catching Z’s is just a fun, lighthearted way of saying you’re off to sleep. It’s much more playful than saying, “I need sleep immediately before I collapse in a heap.”

Note: You’ll be catching more Z’s than you can count if you’ve got one of our beautifully made wood beds. Just saying.

5. Burning the Midnight Oil

This phrase harks back to the days before electricity, when people used oil lamps to work or read late into the night. If you were burning the midnight oil, you were working way past bedtime and using your oil reserves to do so. These days, it’s often used to describe anyone staying up late—whether they’re cramming for an exam, finishing a project, or just getting lost in a compelling show (Bridgerton, we’re looking at you).

Fun Fact: Burning the midnight oil isn’t a requirement, but if you do it, make sure you have a comfy bed to crash into afterwards.

6. In the Land of Nod

This one sounds straight out of a fairy tale, and in a way, it is. The "Land of Nod" refers to the Biblical location where Cain was exiled, but over time, it became synonymous with sleep or slumber. When we say someone has gone to the "Land of Nod," it’s just a poetic way of saying they’ve fallen asleep.

Fun Fact: At Get Laid Beds, our handcrafted beds can whisk you away to the dreamy "Land of Nod" every night. But unlike Cain, you won’t be in any hurry to leave!

7. Counting Sheep

This one might be the oldest trick in the book. If you’ve ever had trouble sleeping, someone’s probably told you to count sheep. It’s based on the idea that repetitive tasks help to calm the mind. But why sheep? It’s said that shepherds in Medieval times would count their flocks at night to make sure none had wandered off, and that idea somehow morphed into a mental exercise for folks wanting to help them drift off. Genius.

Note: Having a solid pre-bedtime routine will probably help you relax better before bed than counting a ruminant mammal.

Sleepy Phrases, Solid Beds

So there you have it! These sleep-related sayings may have weird and wonderful origins, but they all share a common goal—helping us talk about one of life’s greatest pleasures: sleep. Whether you’re hitting the hay or burning the midnight oil, we hope you’re doing it in comfort. At Get Laid Beds, we’re all about giving you a bed that ensures your sleep is as solid as the wood it’s built from, so sleep tight and catch all the Z’s!