Phrase of the hour
Two-four
A case containing twenty-four bottles of beer. Current informal term and cultural identity marker Regional use: Canada, especially Ontario, Western…
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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
Now-now
Very soon or a short time ago, with the direction in time supplied by context. Context matters: it can point shortly forward or shortly backward. Just…
Meaning & originBigger than Dallas
Enormous, spectacular, conspicuous, or so obvious that it should be impossible to overlook. Strongly regional and hyperbolic. Outside Texas it may…
Meaning & originSoft day, thank God
A mild, damp or lightly rainy day, acknowledged with gratitude or dry humour. Regional and often wry rather than devout. It can sound stereotyped when…
Meaning & originIn the red
Broke or in debt, all loss.
Meaning & originMake a silk purse out of a sow's ear
To turn something rough into fine, often against the odds.
Meaning & originRun out of steam
Lose pep or drive, all spent.
Meaning & originLaugh like a drain
Laugh very loudly, freely and often unattractively. Informal. It emphasizes volume and abandon rather than elegance. Regional use: Chiefly British and…
Meaning & originFall off the wagon
To relapse into a bad habit, usually drinking, after quitting.
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.