Phrase of the hour
The world and his wife
A large and varied crowd, or apparently everyone of consequence. Informal hyperbole. The inherited masculine personification can feel conspicuously…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
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Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
1,555
curious expressions
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source-backed entries
2,515
research references
Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
Zapped out
Totally exhausted or drained.
Meaning & originEmotional labour
Work that requires managing your own emotions, and the feelings you display to others, as part of doing the job - for example a flight attendant who…
Meaning & originDon't take any wooden nickels
A friendly but cautionary farewell meaning: stay alert, avoid being cheated, and do not accept anything worthless or deceptive. Usually humorous and…
Meaning & originSour grapes
Pretended disdain for something you wanted but could not get; dismissing a goal as worthless only after failing to reach it. It is almost always an…
Meaning & originDog days of summer
The hottest, most oppressive part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, often associated with lethargy or a seasonal lull. The exact dates vary by…
Meaning & originA diamond in the rough
Someone with genuinely good qualities or outstanding potential whose manners, background, or appearance are unpolished. The saying is usually…
Meaning & originYoung at heart
Having the energy, enthusiasm, and playful outlook associated with youth even though one is middle-aged or older; also applied to products…
Meaning & originA labour of love
Work undertaken chiefly from affection, commitment or enjoyment rather than for reward. Labour is British spelling and labor American. The work can be…
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.