Phrase of the hour
Zig when others zag
To take an unconventional or opposite approach from the crowd, choosing a unique path for advantage or flair.
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.
1,085
curious expressions
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source-backed entries
1,575
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
Have a Captain Cook
Have a look at something. Informal rhyming slang. Shortened Captain forms depend more heavily on shared cultural knowledge. Regional use: Australia.
Meaning & originRolling in the aisles
Laughing so hard you almost fall out of your seat. Usually found in the construction to have an audience rolling in the aisles, meaning to be…
Meaning & originOn tenterhooks
In a state of nervous suspense or strained anticipation while waiting for an outcome.
Meaning & originPull the wool over your eyes
Deceive someone or prevent them from seeing the truth.
Meaning & originSaved by the bell
Rescued at the last possible moment from defeat, danger, embarrassment, an unwanted answer, or another difficult situation. Current and informal. In…
Meaning & originWallflower
A person who stays at the edge of a dance or party, either too shy to join in or without a partner; by extension, anyone habitually overlooked or left…
Meaning & originTwo solitudes
English- and French-speaking communities living alongside one another with limited understanding or sympathy. Current in historical, political, and…
Meaning & originKick up a fuss
To create a noisy or emotional disturbance, usually in protest or complaint, drawing attention to a grievance with exaggerated reaction. It suggests…
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.