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We have all of these phrases and meanings that we use every day about money, life and more, but few of them do us really know or think about them in their reality of usage.

For example, where does a slush fund really come from; do you ever sell yourself short; why is something cheap at half the price; when did this place go to the dogs; and how come you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink?

To find out, here are a few answers with nearly all of them something to do with money, banking and trade.

A slush fund is a hidden cache of money used for illegal or corrupt political purpose. It's origin is from the 19th century, when there was a practice onboard ships of boiling up large pots of pork and other fatty meats. The fat that rose to the top of the kettles was stored in vats and then sold to soap and candle makers. The money received from the sale of the 'slush' was used for the crew's comfort and entertainment.

If you sell yourself short, you probably have not made the best of your virtues, e.g. don't sell yourself short, you are a good singer. The phrase itself comes from the short selling of stocks. Selling a stock short is a bet that the value of the stock is going down. Hence selling yourself short is an expectation that you are on the decline.

People who make money hand over fist are the fastest at turning over the cash. The phrase dates back to the sailors on ancient ships climbing ropes and hoisting sails. The best seamen were those who could do this action the fastest. Therefore, the phrase hand over fist appeared to describe the one hand clenching a rope whilst the other deftly moves above it, to suggest quickness and success.

The phrase cheap at half the price is not related to price but to quality, as in saying that something is of very poor quality could still be thought of as "cheap", even if it were "half the price". The saying first came into usage in the mid-19th century, when some less than frugal members of the aristocracy were forced to borrow money from high interest charging money lenders. The payday lenders of 200 years ago if you like. The lenders were regarded as "cheap" individuals for so demeaning themselves by lending money at such high rates of interest, that they would still be regarded as "cheap" even if they charged half the rate.

A place has gone to the dogs if it has become worthless, with phrase originating from Medieval times when the people eating from the baronial tables would throw the worthless scraps of meat to the dogs as they had no value as food anymore.

Finally, you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink? first appeared in the 12th century, when horses were the main form of transport. At the end of a long ride, a horse would need a drink but some would be so stubborn they would refuse. For centuries that truth has been applied to people who do what they want to, even though you try to persuade them otherwise.

Source: http://thefinanser.co.uk/fsclub/2013/08/when-did-this-place-go-to-the-dogs-and-why-cant-you-lead-a-horse-to-water-and-make-it-drink.html