Phrase of the hour
Water off a duck's back
Used of criticism, insults, or warnings that have no effect on someone: they are shrugged off instantly and completely, leaving no trace. Usually said…
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curious expressions
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
Up to scratch
Meeting a decent standard or readiness, good enough to pass muster.
Meaning & originFly by the seat of your pants
To act or navigate by instinct alone, with no plan or tools.
Meaning & originBandwidth
The time, energy, or mental capacity available to take on a task, as when someone says they do or do not have room for more work. It began as an…
Meaning & originCore memory
A deeply formative, emotionally charged memory treated as central to a person's identity, or, jokingly, any vivid flash of nostalgia. Most often met…
Meaning & originRun off your feet
Rushed or swamped, no stop.
Meaning & originGreenwashing
Misleading marketing or public relations that makes a company, product, or policy seem more environmentally friendly than it really is, typically…
Meaning & originGet your goat
To annoy or provoke someone intensely, hitting a nerve that throws them off balance.
Meaning & originShoot from the hip
To act or speak fast and loose, without much thought.
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.