Phrase of the hour
Monkey's wedding
A sunshower: rain falling while the sun is shining. Informal but widely recognisable in South Africa. Jackal's wedding is a related regional…
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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
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
Merely wishing for something cannot make it happen or replace practical action. Often shortened to 'if wishes were horses'. It may sound brisk or…
Meaning & originPied-à-terre
A small secondary dwelling kept for occasional use, typically a city apartment occupied for work weeks or short stays rather than as a main home. The…
Meaning & originCharley horse
A painful involuntary muscle cramp, particularly in the thigh or calf - Wiktionary defines it as a synonym of cramp, chiefly US, and McGraw-Hill as 'a…
Meaning & originWith flying colours
With complete, conspicuous success; triumphantly. It is the standard way of saying that someone passed a test, examination, or ordeal not merely…
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 & originCold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey
Extremely cold. The headphrase contains a vulgar anatomical joke. 'Brass monkey weather' is the neutral alternative. Regional use: United Kingdom and…
Meaning & originA cliffhanger
A story, episode or contest whose outcome is left suspended at a moment of crisis, so that the audience must return for the resolution; by extension…
Meaning & originSteady as she goes
An instruction or commitment to continue exactly as at present, keeping the current course, pace, or policy without sudden change. Often said to…
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.