Phrase of the hour
Not a leg to stand on
No basis or support, flimsy as air.
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
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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
Caught in the crossfire
Trapped in a conflict not your own, hit by stray shots.
Meaning & originUnder the weather
Slightly ill, tired, or otherwise not feeling one's usual self.
Meaning & originAll and sundry
Every person without distinction or exception; everyone in a particular group or place. Now mildly formal or old-fashioned. It normally refers to…
Meaning & originNot all there
Not thinking clearly, not fully aware, or, as an insult, supposedly lacking intelligence or sound judgment. Informal and sometimes offensive. It may…
Meaning & originRaining cats and dogs
Raining extremely heavily.
Meaning & originOn the ball
Sharp, alert, and quick to act, right on top of things.
Meaning & originGive it a whirl
To try something out, giving it a spin.
Meaning & originIn a pickle
Stuck in a messy or tricky situation, tangled up with no clear fix.
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.