Phrase of the hour
Cuffing season
Slang for autumn and winter, the stretch when single people are said to look for a partner to settle down with through the cold months, typically…
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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
Null and void
Having no legal force, binding effect or validity, and therefore incapable of being enforced. Common in contracts and judgments, but also used…
Meaning & originPenny wise and pound foolish
Careful over small savings while wasteful or imprudent about much larger costs. Hyphenation varies. It can criticise any small saving that creates…
Meaning & originHold the line
To stand firm or keep steady, resisting pressure.
Meaning & originLike turkeys voting for Christmas
Doing something foolishly against your own interests.
Meaning & originPut a damper on
To dampen or spoil the mood, cooling the fun.
Meaning & originTalk turkey
Speak frankly and directly, especially when discussing practical terms, serious business, or a negotiation.
Meaning & originJump on the bandwagon
To join a popular trend, movement, or opinion, often for convenience or gain rather than genuine belief, implying a lack of originality. It suggests…
Meaning & originHit the hay
To go to bed, especially to go to sleep for the night. It is an informal, chiefly American expression, though it is widely understood elsewhere…
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.