Phrase of the hour
Have your cake and eat it
Wanting it all, keeping and using.
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.
725
curious expressions
409
source-backed entries
855
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
No dice
A flat refusal or failure, no chance or luck.
Meaning & originHold your own
To stand firm or compete well, keeping your ground.
Meaning & originPut your money where your mouth is
To back your words with action or cash, proving it.
Meaning & originEat like a bird
To nibble small or light, barely eat.
Meaning & originJump out of the frying pan into the fire
To flee one mess for a worse one, no win.
Meaning & originSpill the beans
Reveal secret or previously hidden information, often indiscreetly or sooner than intended.
Meaning & originDamp squib
A disappointing event or effort that produces far less effect than expected. Do not list 'damp squid' as a standard variant; it is a common…
Meaning & originKick over the traces
To rebel or break free, tossing off rules.
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.