A 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.

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Root, hog, or die

Fend for yourself and work for what you need, or face failure. Obscure, severe, and strongly historical Regional use: United States, especially rural…

Meaning & origin

Cut and dried

Already settled, prepared or decided, often in a routine way that allows little originality or debate. Commonly used in the negative, as in not cut…

Meaning & origin

Cut of your jib

Your characteristic appearance, manner or style, especially as the basis of a first impression. Informal and nautical in flavour. It can signal…

Meaning & origin

Language 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.

How we research phrases