Phrase of the hour
All's well that ends well
A successful outcome can make earlier difficulties seem acceptable or unimportant. Often expresses relief, but it can minimise real harm; speakers…
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.
1,145
curious expressions
829
source-backed entries
1,695
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
X marks the spot
A precise indicator of where something important lies.
Meaning & originRizz
Slang for style, charm or skill in attracting a romantic or sexual partner; the capacity to flirt convincingly. Used especially by younger speakers…
Meaning & originRule the roost
To have complete control over a household, group, or organization; to be the dominant person whose decisions prevail. It is informal, usually said of…
Meaning & originParasocial
Describes a one-sided relationship in which a person feels a sense of intimacy and connection with a media figure, celebrity, influencer, or fictional…
Meaning & originActing the maggot
Behaving mischievously, foolishly or disruptively instead of taking matters seriously. Informal. The force ranges from affectionate criticism of…
Meaning & originBated breath
Breathing held or subdued because of suspense, fear or intense expectation. Bated, not baited, is the standard spelling. It most often follows with…
Meaning & originReinvent the wheel
To waste time and effort creating something that already exists or solving a problem that has already been solved. Standard advice against it, 'don't…
Meaning & originOn the wallaby track
Travelling the country on foot in search of work or subsistence. Historical Australian slang. It evokes itinerant labour and hardship; modern use is…
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.