What does the expression “to turn the heat on” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression to turn the heat on mean and where does it come from

The expression “to turn the heat on” seems originally to have been underworld slang, probably a rough interpretation of “to be grilled” in its figurative sense. It means, to be subjected to a severe cross-examination, as by police officers in grilling a suspected criminal; but of course in ordinary use a youngster will say that … Read more

Where does the expression “the spit and image” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression the spit and image come from and what does it mean

Though spelled and contracted in different ways, spit and image, spitting image, spittin’ image, spitten image, the intent is always the same, an exact likeness, a counterpart. It usually refers to an infant or child whose features and mannerisms strongly reflect those of one of its parents. The origin of the expression has been variously … Read more

Where does the phrase “to come to the end of one’s rope” come from and What does it mean?

where does the phrase to come to the end of ones rope come from and what does it mean scaled

“Tether” is the older word, but with either “rope” or “tether” the saying goes back many centuries. In original usage the expression “to come to the end of one’s rope” alluded apparently to a cow or other domestic animal, perchance a dog, staked for grazing or for protection by a rope attached to its neck. … Read more

What does the phrase “the whole kit and caboodle” mean and Where did it originate?

what does the phrase the whole kit and caboodle mean and where did it originate

In its entirety, the phrase “the whole kit and caboodle” is American; it is a somewhat more refined expression than the earlier, “the whole kit and bilin’.” Both forms mean lock, stock, and barrel; the whole lot, omitting nothing. But “the whole kit” is plain English, the entire outfit; the whole lot, either of things … Read more

Where does the expression “to put in one’s best licks” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to put in ones best licks come from and what does it mean

Through some odd chance, the word “lick” in American speech acquired the meaning “a spurt of speed; also, a burst of energy.” This meaning found its way into print early in the nineteenth century. Our present phrase was derived from that sense and is graphically illustrated by the line from “Polly Peablossoin’s Wedding”, published in … Read more

Where does the expression “to shoot the bull” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to shoot the bull come from and what does it mean

The American slang expression “to shoot the bull”, which originated in the gutter or, rather, the barnyard, now means to talk pretentiously, to talk wisely and freely upon subjects about which one knows little. It developed from the American institution known as a “bull session,” a gathering of men, usually young men, in which each … Read more

Where does the expression “to grin like a Cheshire cat” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to grin like a cheshire cat come from and what does it mean

Lewis Carrol popularized the Cheshire cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, in which the grinning cat disappeared gradually from Alice’s view and the last to vanish was the grin, but the saying is much older than this account. It has been traced back to the writings of John Wolcot, better known under his pseudonym, Peter … Read more

What does the phrase “I’m from Missouri” mean and Where did it come from?

what does the phrase im from missouri mean and where did it come from

In America, extreme skepticism is indicated by one who says, “I’m from Missouri,” though actually the residents of that state are no more incredulous than are other Americans. The expression is said to have originated during the course of some extemporaneous humorous remarks by Willard D. Vandiver who was, at the time, a representative to … Read more

Where did the phrase “to knock something galley west” come from and What does it mean?

where did the phrase to knock something galley west come from and what does it mean

Aunt Sally, if you remember Huckleberry Finn, got so upset when trying to count the silver spoons, sometimes making a count of nine, sometimes ten, thanks to Huck’s manipulations, that she seized the spoon basket, slammed it across the room, and knocked the cat “galley west.” It means that the cat was knocked upside down, … Read more

Where did the expression “to make one’s mouth water” come from and What does it mean?

where did the expression to make ones mouth water come from and what does it mean

The expression “to make one’s mouth water” means to anticipate something with great eagerness. Literally, and the original sense, one referred to the actual drooling that one experiences over the prospects of sinking one’s teeth into a comestible that exudes a particularly delightful aroma, as a schoolboy from Boston might say. The experience must have … Read more

What does the phrase “Bronx cheer” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the phrase bronx cheer mean and where does it come from

This somewhat disgusting sound expressing contemptuous disapproval, the reverse of a cheer, a vibrating sound partly uttered through loosely closed lips and partly through the nose, seemingly owes its present name to the unusual skill displayed by the residents of the northern geographical section of New York City, or to spectators at athletic sports events … Read more

What does the expression “behind the eight ball” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression behind the eight ball mean and where does it come from

The modern expression “behind the eight ball” has come to mean in a hazardous position; in a state or condition of embarrassment or peril from which it is difficult or impossible to extricate oneself; hence, out of luck; jinxed. The expression originated from the game of pocket billiards or, popularly, Kelly pool. But, though the … Read more

What does the expression “to laugh in one’s sleeve” come from and What does it mean?

what does the expression to laugh in ones sleeve come from and what does it mean

To be secretly amused, whether in derision or just to avoid offense through open laughter, is to laugh in one’s sleeve. The saying dates from the first half of the sixteenth century when, as one would suppose, the sleeves of a gentleman’s costume were distinctly oversize, large enough to conceal one’s whole head, let alone … Read more

What does the expression “to reckon without one’s host” mean and How did it originate?

The expression “to reckon without one’s host” means to neglect important facts in reaching a conclusion. This seems to have been a failing known also to our remote ancestors; at least, so long ago that the phrase had become proverbial when, in 1489, William Caxton printed (on his new wooden printing press) his own translation … Read more

Where does the expression “to get down to brass tacks” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression to get down to brass tacks come from and what does it mean

Like many other of our common sayings, the expression “to get down to brass tacks” appears to have alluded originally to some specific operation, something that would call for the removal of successive layers until the brass tacks which held the structure together were exposed to view. For, as we in America use the expression, … Read more

What does the expression “cut out of whole cloth” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression cut out of whole cloth mean and where does it come from scaled

The expression “cut out of whole cloth” means wholly false; without foundation of truth. Back in the fifteenth century, “whole cloth” was used synonymously with “broad cloth,” that is, cloth that ran the full width of the loom. The term dropped into disuse along in the eighteenth century, except in the figurative sense. In early … Read more

What does the expression “to knock into a cocked hat” mean and Where does it come from?

what does the expression to knock into a cocked hat mean and where does it come from

The cocked hat, especially that of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, was permanently out of shape, with the brim turned up along three sides, giving the hat the outline of a triangle. The style was generally affected by officers of both the American and British armies during the Revolutionary War. Undoubtedly the hat was … Read more

Where did the phrase “to keep one’s fingers crossed” come from and What does it mean?

where did the phrase to keep ones fingers crossed come from and what does it mean

We keep one’s fingers crossed, either actually or mentally, when wishing the success of something or hoping that nothing unpleasant will happen or anything will interfere with one’s plans. The expression appears to be wholly American and, probably, of Negro origin. Probably it arose from the superstition that making the sign of the cross would … Read more

Where does the expression “faster than greased lightning” come from and What does it mean?

where does the expression faster than greased lightning come from and what does it mean

Denoting the acme of speed, than which nothing could be faster. The expression “faster than greased lightning” appears to be one of the instances of American hyperbole about which British visitors to our shores, a century ago, were always complaining, or secretly envying. Our ancestors, in the days of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, were not … Read more