Phrase of the hour
Donkey's years
A very long time. Usually appears after 'for' or 'in'. The shortened 'donkey's' is informal British usage. Regional use: United Kingdom, Ireland and…
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Plain-English meanings.
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Crocodile tears
A display of sorrow or sympathy that is insincere; tears or grief put on for effect by someone who does not actually feel it. The phrase usually…
Meaning & originCarry on like a pork chop
Make an excessive fuss, behave foolishly or become noisily agitated. Very informal. The fuller synagogue version can sound culturally insensitive and…
Meaning & originA labour of love
Work undertaken chiefly from affection, commitment or enjoyment rather than for reward. Labour is British spelling and labor American. The work can be…
Meaning & originMay Two-Four
Victoria Day or its long weekend in Canada. Current informal holiday name Regional use: Canada, strongest in Ontario and also familiar in British…
Meaning & originFair to middling
Acceptable or moderately good, but not especially impressive.
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 & originSee the elephant
Gain a much-anticipated but often harsh or disillusioning experience. Historical and now obscure Regional use: United States, especially 19th-century…
Meaning & originCold feet
A sudden loss of courage or confidence that makes someone hesitate or withdraw from a planned action.
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.