Phrase of the hour
Brave new world
Now usually ironic: a new era, technology or social order presented as wonderful but regarded with suspicion or as unsettling; sometimes still used…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
a story to tell.
Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
1,885
curious expressions
1,569
source-backed entries
3,315
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
Honeymoon period
The early phase of anything - marriage, government, job, merger - when goodwill runs ahead of experience and nothing has yet gone wrong. The phrase…
Meaning & originSafe as houses
Completely safe, secure, or certain of success, said especially of investments, savings, or plans that carry no apparent risk. A chiefly British…
Meaning & originPink slip
American informal term for a notice of dismissal from a job: to get, receive or be handed a pink slip is to be fired or laid off, the slip…
Meaning & originTickled pink
Greatly pleased, amused, or delighted. Informal and warm in tone, typically used about reactions to compliments, invitations, or good news. Informal…
Meaning & originDressed to the nines
Wearing extremely smart, elaborate, or glamorous clothes. The tone is informal and usually appreciative or amused rather than disapproving; British…
Meaning & originGet a leg up
To gain an advantage or boost, stepping ahead.
Meaning & originThe root of the matter
The fundamental cause, essential issue or deepest part of a problem. Often overlaps with heart of the matter, though root more strongly suggests an…
Meaning & originSee which way the wind blows
To wait and gauge the situation, testing the drift.
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.