Where does the expression hocus pocus come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression hocus pocus come from and what does it mean

The expression hocus pocus means: Flimflam; deception; deceit; nonsense; charlatanism; jugglery: sometimes corrupted to “hokey-pokey.” Probably this was originally a form of reduplication, like hodgepodge, odd-bods, shilly-shally, and many others, and was based on Latin. One explanation is given in 1656 by Thomas Ady in A Candle in the Dark; or, A Treatise Concerning the … Read more

Where does the phrase “to swear like a trooper” come from and What does it mean?

where does the phrase to swear like a trooper come from and what does it mean

The phrase “to swear like a trooper” means: To swear tremendous oaths; to use extreme profanity. Some anonymous newspaper columnist, recently, though using trouper instead of trooper, said, “This expression started and was used in church meetings as late as the 1900’s. The troupers referred to are stage actors and the saying was used to … Read more

Where does the expression “to stick to one’s guns” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to stick to ones guns come from and what does it mean

The expression “to stick (or stand) to one’s guns” means: To persevere in one’s course despite obstacles; to hold out for, or insist on, a desired course; to maintain one’s position. Obviously, the origin is military, pertaining to any commander who is determined to maintain a present position in the face of heavy attack by … Read more

What does the phrase “to add insult to injury” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the phrase to add insult to injury mean and where does it come from

The phrase “to add insult to injury” means: To heap scorn upon one already injured. Apperson, in English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases (1929), reports that this familiar expression first appeared in Latin, iniuriae qui addideris contumeliam, “injury which is added to insult”, in the fifth book of the fables written by the Roman writer of … Read more

What does the expression “to go up in the air” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression to go up in the air mean and where does it come from scaled

The expression “to go up in the air” is said not only of balloons and aviators, but of ordinary persons, American fathers especially, who become vociferously enraged, who sputter furiously in resemblance to a skyrocket with an ignited fuse, from which the expression originated some fifty or sixty years ago. Its British equivalent is “to … Read more

Where does the expression “drunk as a fiddler” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression drunk as a fiddler come from and what does it mean

The expression “drunk as a fiddler” means: Highly intoxicated; three sheets in the wind; squiffy; spifflicated; tanked. It would be quite an achievement to be able to prove that the “fiddler” in the case was Nero, who, somewhat shellacked himself at the time presumably, fiddled while Rome burned, during his reign back in the first … Read more

What does the term “Barmecide feast” (or banquet) mean and Where does it originate?

what does the term barmecide feast or banquet mean and where does it originate

The phrase “Barmecide feast” (or banquet) comes from the “Story of the Barber’s Sixth Brother” in Arabian Nights. A poor beggar, Schacabac, without food for several days, asked for bread at the door of the rich Persian noble, Barmecide. To his amazement he was invited to the table. Servants brought golden platter after golden platter, … Read more

What does the term Shangri-la mean and Where does it come from?

what does the term shangri la mean and where does it come from

Shangri-la was a place of mystery; a utopia. The place was fictional, some mysterious region in Tibet conceived by the late English-born novelist, James Hilton, in Lost Horizon (1933), where people lived for hundreds of years and attempted to preserve the best achievements in art and ideals of the outside world despite its tensions. The … Read more

Where does the expression “to keep one’s hair on” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to keep ones hair on come from and what does it mean

The expression “to keep one’s hair on” means: To restrain one’s temper; to remain calm and serene, unruffled despite provocation. This was popular American slang of less than a century ago. In fact, the earliest literary example appears to have been in Dr. Claudius, one of the first pieces of fiction written by Francis Marion … Read more

What does the expression “to dislike the cut of one’s jib” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression to dislike the cut of ones jib mean and where does it come from

The expression “to dislike the cut of one’s jib” means: To dislike, or be chary of, the appearance of a person, or his character; to have a feeling of distrust. Only occasionally do we use the opposite, “like.” The saying arose from nautical terminology of the seventeenth century, when the jib, the large triangular sail … Read more

What does the phrase “playing to the grandstand” (or gallery) mean and Where does it come from?

what does the phrase playing to the grandstand or gallery mean and where does it come from

A contributor (David Shulman) to American Speech dug up a neat early description of the first expression, which he found in Thomas W. Lawton’s The Krank: His Language and What It Means (1888): “Playing to the Grand-Stand. To accomplish this it is only necessary to smile, strike an attitude, and strike out.” That is too … Read more

Where does the expression “mad as a hatter” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression mad as a hatter come from and what does it mean

The expression “mad as a hatter” doesn’t mean irate, a sense one sometimes hears; it means crazy, utterly demented. There have been various theories advanced for this peculiar metaphor, and some of the theories are themselves peculiar. One is that “hatter” was introduced merely to add an intensive force, that the individual spoken of was … Read more

Where does the expression “to throw a monkey wrench in the machinery” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to throw a monkey wrench in the machinery come from and what does it mean scaled

The expression “to throw a monkey wrench in the machinery” means: To gum up the works; to place an obstacle or hindrance into a project or undertaking; to interfere, or cause confusion or disaster. Undoubtedly this literally described an act of sabotage when it was first used, possibly no more than fifty years ago, though … Read more

What does the expression “not for money, marbles, nor chalk” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression not for money marbles nor chalk mean and where does it come from

The expression “not for money, marbles, nor chalk” means: Not for any consideration whatever; absolutely not; utterly incorruptible. Although “marbles,” in this expression, could be taken to mean “slight value,” with “chalk” indicating “no value,” we think it more likely to be a slight mispronunciation of meubles, a term of French origin used both in … Read more

Where does the expression “to get a kick (or charge) out of something” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to get a kick or charge out of something come from and what does it mean

The expression “to get a kick (or charge) out of something” means: To become thrilled, excited, or stimulated by something physical, mental, or emotional. The older American slang with “kick” is gradually being replaced by the later “charge,” having the same interpretation, but “kick” has served well for some fifty years. Originally the “kick” was … Read more

What does the expression “as proud as Satan” (sin, or Lucifer) mean and Where does it come from?

This notion of evil being arrogant, supercilious, or contemptuous arose in the minds of people more than four hundred years ago. The first record in English is in The Pilgrimage of Perfection (1526) with “as proude as Nabugodonosor (Nebuchadnezzar).” Then came “as proud as Hell,” by Dean Swift in 1711. Then “as proud as Lucifer,” … Read more

What does the expression “to pull a boner” mean and Where does it originate?

what does the expression to pull a boner mean and where does it originate

Unlock the origins and meaning of the expression “to pull a boner.” Delve into its history and unravel the unexpected journey of this intriguing phrase. Key Takeaways: Uncover the historical context behind the expression “to pull a boner.” Explore its evolution and diverse interpretations. Gain insights into how language expressions can undergo unexpected transformations over … Read more

Where does the expression “to pile (or heap) Pelion on Ossa” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to pile or heap pelion on ossa come from and what does it mean

The expression “to pile (or heap) Pelion on Ossa” means: to heap difficulty upon difficulty; to attempt that which is all but impossible. Pelion is a mountain peak in Thessaly, about 5,300 feet high; Ossa, another peak in Thesssaly, about 6,500 feet high. The story is told in Homer’s Odyssey (Book XI) as follows, according … Read more

What does the expression “lares and penates” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression lares and penates mean and where does it come from

The familiar things, the cherished possessions, the appearance, the indescribable atmosphere which combine to make a house a home. Actually, this phrase combines two groups of Roman gods, though rhinor gods, to be sure. The lares (two syllables, please, lar’eez) were divinities presiding over the hearth and the whole house, representing the spirits, not of … Read more

Where does the phrase “plain as the nose on one’s face” come from and What does it mean?

where does the phrase plain as the nose on ones face come from and what does it mean

The phrase “plain as the nose on one’s face” means: ridiculously obvious; as conspicuous or evident as anything could possibly be. The comparison must have been known to Shakespeare, who used it ironically in Two Gentlemen of Verona (1591). The Lady Sylvia had enjoined Valentine, who loves her, “to write some lines to one she … Read more

What does the saying “a hurrah’s nest” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the saying a hurrahs nest mean and where does it come from

The expression “a hurrah’s nest” means: a disorderly, untidy mess; a place of wild confusion. This “nest” has been variously attributed to a hurrah, a hurra, and a hoorah, but, I regret to say, no naturalist or folklorist has ever yet attempted to describe the imaginary creature responsible for the untidiness. My one-time associates, compilers … Read more

What does the expression “to quarrel with one’s bread and butter” mean and Where does it originate?

what does the expression to quarrel with ones bread and butter mean and where does it originate

The expression “to quarrel with one’s bread and butter” means: to complain about one’s means of livelihood; to act against one’s best interests. And many’s the time you’ve seen a child do that, throw his buttered bread or his piece of cake or even the ice-cream cone he’s been whimpering for on the ground in … Read more

What does the phrase “to the queen’s taste” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the phrase to the queens taste mean and where does it come from

The phrase “to the queen’s taste” means: to a fare-you-well; lock, stock, and barrel; completely; utterly; totally. There was no individual queen to whom this phrase alluded, but because a queen is the highest lady in the land, all virtues are ascribed to her, including possession of all that is complete and thorough. Curiously enough, … Read more

Where does the expression “to raise or play hob” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to raise or play hob come from and what does it mean

The expression “to raise or play hob” means: to raise Cain; play the devil; make mischief. In English folklore, “Hob” was the familiar name of the sprite, Robin Goodfellow, the household spirit full of mischievous, sometimes malicious, acts, the being who, at least, received the blame. Shakespeare, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, gives him also … Read more

What does the expression “neither head nor tail of a matter” mean and Where does it originate?

what does the expression neither head nor tail of a matter mean and where does it originate

The expression “neither head nor tail” means: neither one thing nor another; nothing definite nor positive: usually in such construction as, I can make neither head nor tail of this story. In the expression, which dates back to the seventeenth century, head means “beginning” and tail means “end”; hence, I can understand neither beginning nor … Read more

Where does the phrase “fit as a fiddle” come from and What does it mean?

where does the phrase fit as a fiddle come from and what does it mean

The phrase “fit as a fiddle” means: in fine form or condition; in splendid health. Although “fiddles” were known in England back at least in the early thirteenth century, it was some four hundred years later, evidently, before their shape, form, tone, and other qualities became so pleasing as to invite complimentary applications to humans. … Read more

What does the phrase “Lucullian feast” (or banquet) mean and Where does it originate?

The phrase “Lucullian feast” means a feast of inordinate magnificence; a terrific spread. L. Licinus Lucullus was a great Roman general in the early part of the first century B.C., and was at first famous for his victories over Mithridates. His victories brought him great wealth, and after his retirement he embarked upon an unprecedented … Read more

What does the expression “to hang on by the eyelashes” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression to hang on by the eyelashes mean and where does it come from

The expression “to hang on by the eyelashes” means to be just barely able to retain one’s hold on something, literal or figurative; to be in a precarious condition. Our ancestors, back in the seventeenth century “hung (something) by the eyelid,” rather than the eyelashes, indicating that they meant to keep that thing or subject … Read more