Phrase of the hour
Wet blanket
A person who discourages other people's enjoyment or dampens enthusiasm; by extension, anything that has a depressing or subduing effect on an…
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
Scarce as hen's teeth
Extremely rare or effectively nonexistent, like teeth in an adult hen, which has a beak rather than visible teeth. Informal and emphatic. Because the…
Meaning & originPlay second fiddle
To take a lesser or supporting role, overshadowed.
Meaning & originPolitical capital
The stock of goodwill, credibility and influence an office-holder or party builds up, conceived as spendable currency: it can be earned in an election…
Meaning & originAll my eye and Betty Martin
Complete nonsense, especially a boast, excuse or claim that deserves no belief. Dated and playful. It is likely to puzzle readers unless the context…
Meaning & originBlue blood
Descent from an aristocratic or noble family, or membership of the hereditary upper class generally. In modern use the phrase is often faintly ironic…
Meaning & originWash your hands of something
Disclaim responsibility for, or end involvement with, a person or problem. Often implies a conspicuous or morally questionable refusal of…
Meaning & originLose face
To suffer public humiliation or a visible loss of reputation and standing, especially before people whose good opinion matters to you. Slightly formal…
Meaning & originDutch courage
Boldness or confidence gained from drinking alcohol rather than from actual bravery, often with the implication that it is fleeting or foolhardy. It…
Meaning & originLanguage has legends. Evidence matters.
Colourful story or documented history?
Phrase origins are full of irresistible myths. We separate what historical sources can show from what remains disputed, and link the references behind researched entries.