Phrase of the hour
Kudos
Praise, credit, or acclaim given for an achievement, as when a team earns recognition for a rescue plan. Though borrowed as a singular Greek noun, its…
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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
Mad as a March hare
Completely crazy or wildly eccentric, usually in a lively, harmless way rather than a threatening one. The simile is old-fashioned and more literary…
Meaning & originLondon to a brick
Almost certain, or at extremely short odds compared with the alternative. Informal. On indicates that the favourite is at very short odds; context can…
Meaning & originGo pound sand
Go away; a dismissive refusal to cooperate or take someone seriously. Current, blunt, and mildly rude Regional use: United States.
Meaning & originHorses for courses
The principle that different people or things are suited to different jobs, conditions or roles, and that choices should be made accordingly - one…
Meaning & originJump on the gravy train
Join or exploit a situation that offers easy money, benefits or advancement, often with a suggestion of opportunism or unfair advantage.
Meaning & originMan does not live by bread alone
People need intellectual, emotional, or spiritual nourishment as well as material necessities. Traditional man is generic; people do not live by bread…
Meaning & originHappy as a clam
Very contented, comfortable, and satisfied. Current and widely understood Regional use: United States, probably associated early with the Northeast…
Meaning & originGaslighting
Psychological manipulation in which a person persistently denies or distorts another's experiences until the victim doubts their own memory…
Meaning & origin
Language 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.