Some words and phrases have somewhat murky origins, evolved as they have over time. To ‘beat about the bush’ (or around the bush, as our friends across
Category: Word and Phrase Origins
When Men Are Hung: A Pet Peeve
D’you what annoys me? When people are hung. When they’re hung in books and on TV, when news reporters talk about people who’ve been hung.
Is ‘Xmas’ Trying to Take Christ Out of Christmas?
I remember when I was a kid, I saw the words ‘XMAS SALE’ painted in huge letters on a shop window. I was only little
Exactly Who Is Gordon Bennett Anyway?
Gordon Bennett! is a phrase that we all know and love. Admittedly, today it’s more likely to be said in jest rather than as a genuine
Why Do We Say Something is the Bee’s Knees?
‘The bee’s knees’ is an odd little phrase, isn’t it? We, of course, use it to mean that something is great, fantastic, the bee’s knees –
Words for Every Book-Lover’s Vocabulary
I don’t know whether it’s because I’m a bibliophagist or whether it’s because I’m scripturient, but I must admit that I often partake in a
