Phrase of the hour
Out of the blue
Something happening suddenly and unexpectedly, without warning or preparation. It conveys surprise-good, bad, or neutral-emphasizing the randomness of…
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
On cloud nine
Extremely happy, elated, or euphoric.
Meaning & originRide roughshod over
Use power or force without regard for another person's rights, wishes, feelings or objections. It can also describe overriding rules, evidence or…
Meaning & originFair crack of the whip
A fair opportunity to take part, compete or prove one's ability. Informal. Fair go is the shorter and especially characteristic Australian equivalent…
Meaning & originFull of beans
Bursting with energy or enthusiasm, lively as if fueled by a jolt.
Meaning & originIn like a dirty shirt
Eagerly involved, quickly inserted, or forcefully participating in something. Current informal simile, more frequent in Canada Regional use…
Meaning & originMake a meal of it
To overdo or stretch a task, big fuss.
Meaning & originA flash in the pan
A conspicuous early success or display that quickly fails to produce lasting results. Usually dismissive. The pan is part of a firearm's ignition…
Meaning & originAid and abet
To help, encourage or facilitate another person's wrongdoing, especially the commission of a crime. Strongly associated with criminal law, although it…
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.