Phrase of the hour
Double-double
A coffee prepared with two servings of cream and two of sugar. Current informal food-and-drink term Regional use: Canada.
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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
Give the slip
To escape or dodge someone slyly, slipping away unnoticed.
Meaning & originPull the wool over your eyes
Deceive someone or prevent them from seeing the truth.
Meaning & originZapped out
Totally exhausted or drained.
Meaning & originChapter and verse
Precise supporting authority or full, exact details about a claim or event. Can mean exact source references or, more loosely, a complete detailed…
Meaning & originThe powers that be
The people or institutions currently holding authority, often viewed as remote or impersonal. Often mildly sceptical or humorous because the authority…
Meaning & originLike a dog with two tails
Over-the-top happy or thrilled, all wag.
Meaning & originA law unto themselves
People who follow their own standards rather than ordinary rules or outside authority. Pronouns change with the subject. Modern use is often…
Meaning & originLeave no stone unturned
To exhaust every possibility or effort in pursuit of a goal, searching thoroughly without overlooking anything, driven by determination or…
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.