Phrase of the hour
Skeleton in the closet
A hidden secret or shameful past kept out of sight, lurking like a grim relic that could ruin a reputation if revealed.
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
Mad as a hatter
Extremely irrational or eccentric. The expression is old-fashioned, and describing a real person's mental health this way may be insensitive.
Meaning & originPut your best foot forward
To lead with your strongest effort, shining.
Meaning & originPut your oar in
To butt in or meddle, sticking your bit.
Meaning & originCaught in the crossfire
Trapped in a conflict not your own, hit by stray shots.
Meaning & originSafe and sound
Completely out of danger and found or returned without physical injury, loss, or damage. Sound retains its old whole or uninjured sense in this…
Meaning & originHang a Roger
Turn right, especially while driving. Current but informal and regionally variable Regional use: Canada.
Meaning & originGet a wiggle on
Hurry up, begin moving, or work faster, usually as an informal and lightly humorous prompt rather than a severe command. Informal and often…
Meaning & originSick as a pig
Real ill or down.
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.