Phrase of the hour
Jump the queue
To skip ahead unfairly, cutting in line.
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.
1,465
curious expressions
1,149
source-backed entries
2,335
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
Prima donna
Originally the leading female singer of an opera company; in modern English almost always a vain, temperamental person who demands special treatment…
Meaning & originSlush fund
A reserve of money kept outside normal accounting, typically used flexibly, secretly, or for improper purposes such as bribery or hiding expenses. It…
Meaning & originRun ragged
Worn out or beat, all frayed.
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 & originLike a dog with two tails
Over-the-top happy or thrilled, all wag.
Meaning & originDoom spending
Spending money on impulse purchases as a way of coping with anxiety about the economy, politics, or the state of the world, instead of saving or…
Meaning & originA foregone conclusion
An outcome treated as inevitable or effectively decided before full consideration. Often used with not or far from to reject overconfidence. It can…
Meaning & originTake it with a grain of salt
Treat a statement cautiously rather than accepting it as wholly accurate, complete or sincere. 'A grain of salt' is the usual North American wording…
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.