Phrase of the hour
Easy as pie
Super simple or effortless, a breeze.
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
Horse of a different color
A person, thing, argument, or situation that is fundamentally different from the one previously discussed or expected. Informal but widely understood…
Meaning & originHang by a thread
In a precarious, fragile state, teetering on the edge of collapse or survival, held by the slimmest chance.
Meaning & originCast the first stone
Be the first to accuse, condemn, or punish someone, especially when no accuser is blameless. Usually invokes hypocrisy or shared fallibility, not…
Meaning & originNot give a tinker's cuss
Not care at all about someone or something; have no interest in or concern for it.
Meaning & originDon't bite the hand that feeds you
Don't harm or turn on your benefactor.
Meaning & originA drop in the bucket
A tiny part of a big whole, barely a dent.
Meaning & originA fly in the ointment
A small flaw that spoils the whole, a tiny snag.
Meaning & originA thorn in your side
A person or problem that causes persistent trouble or irritation. Side and flesh versions coexist, but they have distinct biblical textual histories…
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.