Tagged Questions
6
votes
2answers
79 views
Chuffed - happy or unhappy?
I was looking into the word chuffed this morning, and came across this:-
chuffed 1 /tʃʌft/
adjective British Informal.
delighted; pleased; satisfied.
Origin: 1855–60; see chuff2 , ...
1
vote
2answers
78 views
What's the origin of the figure of speech “call the shots”?
I'm well aware that when someone says "he's the one who calls the shots" it means that that person is the one in charge, the one who takes all the relevant decisions.
But what's the origin of this ...
0
votes
1answer
149 views
What does “Nine Below Zero” mean?
There is a Blues Standard "Nine Below Zero" and I wonder what the phrase means. The chorus is
Nine Below Zero, she put me down for another
And it would also be super interesting where this ...
13
votes
5answers
724 views
Why do we “chalk it up” to something (or someone)?
What is the etymology and meaning of the phrase "chalk it up"? For instance:
"I will chalk it up to a colloquialism" (source).
"Just chalk it up as an odd case and move on" (source).
"I would chalk ...
5
votes
2answers
113 views
Why is a mule driver called a “skinner”?
An AmE synonym for muleteer is "mule skinner". Where does "skinner" come from in this term, and why does it only apply to mule drivers and not cattle or oxen drivers?
The closest I can come is some ...
2
votes
2answers
82 views
Where did the term “at-large” originate from?
I was listening to the radio and something caught my attention. The news jounalist made the comment, "The suspect is still at-large." It got me thinking...
First, I can only assume that the ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Why ; is called semicolon and what is its history? [closed]
Semi- is a Latin prefix meaning "half" and colon is another punctuation.
Should I therefore say that semicolon is a halved colon?
3
votes
1answer
130 views
What is the origin of the phrase “in your backpocket”?
What is the origin of the phrase "in your backpocket"?
As in "What song have you got in your back pocket?" for "what song have you got ready to perform comfortably now, without preparation".
11
votes
1answer
347 views
Meaning of “candle” in “I now call to mind that there was a letter in the candle three days ago”
In the book The Trumpet Major, by Thomas Hardy, there is the following paragraph:
That was Budmouth postmaster, and he says there's a letter for me. Ah, I now call to mind that there was a letter ...
5
votes
1answer
158 views
What does “maze-bright” mean?
From searching online, I haven't found any dictionary entries for this phrase, however it seems it has something to do with Tryon's rat experiment, and it's often used in HR to describe a certain type ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
What is the difference, if any, between “divine providence” and “Providence” (with a capital p)?
ODO defines providence as:
providence: [mass noun] 1 the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual
power: they found their trust in divine providence to be a source of
comfort
...
-3
votes
1answer
84 views
History of the words “conservative” and “liberal”
I’m curious in the history of political parties of the USA. Initially in 1861 Abraham Lincoln was the first President to represent the Republican party which has always been stated as conservative ...
1
vote
2answers
118 views
What is the origin and meaning of the term 'Chubby Chubs'?
I have this expression stuck in my head and can't figure out where I've heard it. I think it can be a term of endearment for 'plump babies'. But not sure if it has any other connotations because of ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
What is the difference in meaning between 'nonchalant' and 'insouciant'?
OED defines them as:
nonchalant adjective (of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm
insouciant adjective showing ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
What is “angular art”?
I've stumbled upon "angular art" in following sentence:
Everywhere there is something to delight the eye — not tchotchkes, but art. Eccentric art, angular art, modern art, all a signifier of ...
4
votes
3answers
206 views
What does “flustrated” mean, and is it a word?
What does the flustrated mean? Is it even a word? I am using Lingea Lexicon and it doesn’t know this word, but the Internet is full of it.
I find myself hating people for using it both in English ...
-1
votes
1answer
338 views
“See you in the funny papers”: etymology and meaning
I've heard people saying that "See you in the funny papers" means "I'll see you later," as in "Good Bye," but I always thought that it means "Good bye," as in "I'll never see you again."
I thought ...
4
votes
4answers
141 views
Decadence of the word decadence
Everyone who is not from the US that I know gives the same quizzical look when some food commercial claims that a TV dinner is decadent.
When did it start being used to mean luxurious? And why? (Our ...
2
votes
2answers
469 views
Whispering “sweet nothings”
Where does the term sweet nothings come from? What is an example of a "sweet nothing"? Does the term connote sincerity or has it been hijacked to represent deceit and seduction? After all, the devil ...
2
votes
2answers
144 views
What is the meaning of “greasing the pan”?
In a tutorial, the instructor says:
We've greased the pan, now it's time to pour in the batter.
The tutorial is technical (IT), and has nothing to do with cooking, so what is the meaning of the ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
“On Tap” in the Sense of “Coming Up”
Starting with the Fifth Edition (1936), seven generations of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary have included (under the entry for tap) three definitions of "on tap," currently worded as ...
1
vote
2answers
140 views
What is the origin of the idiom “have been had”?
I know the meaning of "have been had" is "been cheated". What is the origin of this idiom? It is really special in the sense that none of the individual words in this idiom convey the meaning of ...
3
votes
3answers
346 views
Origin of street names ending in “-hurst”
There is a large number of streets in the UK whose names end in -hurst, for example Ravenhurst, Gathurst, Oakhurst, Amhurst, Bonehurst, Eaglehurst, etc.
Is there a common meaning for this -hurst ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
Differences in the Semantics of Three Tri-Part Phrasal Verbs
What are the subtle semantic differences in the following three tri-part phrasal verbs:
(1) be up against
(2) come up against
(3) run up against
6
votes
5answers
518 views
Redneck and usage
I found something by Googling about roots and negative meaning but more than it I want to know if there is a positive or neutral usage too. Is it something like geek or nerd and the other slangy ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
The use of “troop” for “trooper” by the media
What led to this new usage? Are there any clues as to its origin (i.e., is there a particular journalist or political figure who introduced it)? Is it on the upswing as I suspect (are there any ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
Meaning (and History?) of “back of”?
I've come across the term "back of" (meaning "behind" in a physical or metaphorical sense) in a number of different works from around the turn of the 20th century*. Was this a linguistic fad of some ...
13
votes
2answers
2k views
How does “pussy” come to mean “coward”?
The word pussy is often used to mean "coward".
This guy is a pussy.
and I am wondering why. How are woman's genitals related to being a "coward"?
3
votes
1answer
172 views
“Ridgy didge” — what's that mean? [closed]
Australia day is nearly upon us! And that means it's time to throw another steak on the barbie and say real Aussie things like "ridgy didge".
Flaming heck, what's that even mean, "ridgy didge"? I've ...
3
votes
1answer
114 views
What do film cameos and cameo brooches have in common?
Why are film cameos called cameos? In which sense do they resemble cameo brooches? In both meanings of the word we have a human figure. Are they similar in their brevity of appearance? In their ...
3
votes
2answers
576 views
What does “Jimping” mean?
Jimping is a term used when describing knives, but I am unsure of what it really means.
See for example this description of a keychain-sized tool where jimping is mentioned, and even lauded for ...
1
vote
2answers
101 views
What does this proverb mean and what is the origin [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What does this mean: ‘Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink’? Why is it funny?
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
1
vote
2answers
112 views
Meaning and etymology of “down with”
I've searched a lot and found out that down with as a slang phrase means "being in an agreement with something". On the other hand, I know that it also means "death upon something".
So in a sentence ...
11
votes
1answer
205 views
Meaning of “match Greek with Greek”
From Christmas Storms and Sunshine by Elizabeth Gaskell (4th paragraph):
Jenkins had his wife too. Wives were wanting to finish the
completeness of the quarrel, which existed one memorable ...
5
votes
2answers
183 views
What does the term “kerplewy” mean?
What does the term mean and what is the best way to use it? And, I also wanted to know if there is any information about where it comes from. And by the way, how do we pronounce it?
10
votes
3answers
202 views
What is the origin of the word “conk”?
Is it obsolete to use this word? Where does it come from? I couldn't find the origin of this term.
Can I use the phrase "The machine conked out" or should I replace conked out with something else?
2
votes
1answer
82 views
Not a synonym, but what?
I am looking for a word that describes the relationship between two words that are not the same, are not used in lieu of the other, but are related in what they refer to.
Example, storm/monsoon. ...
1
vote
2answers
81 views
Origin and correct meaning of “make political book”
Re-watching old episodes of the X-Files. In which Agent Mulder says: (paraphrasing)
just pseudo-science used to make political book
(Transcript here)
(FYI The Episode was written by Mat Beck)
...
4
votes
2answers
99 views
What did James V mean by “afferandly”?
In this letter from 1536, King James V of Scotland wrote in 1536:
Veilbelouit frend, we grete yow. Forsamekill as we ar of pourpas
to pas to Kelso, and to vesy owr Bordouris for ordoneng of ...
3
votes
2answers
324 views
What are the origins for the phrases “Knock it off” and “Cut it out”?
When taken literally, the colloquial phrases "Knock it off" and "Cut it out" do not seem to mean "Stop what you're doing." How did these two phrases get their current meanings?
5
votes
3answers
221 views
What’s a “backarapper”?
In The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien writes:
The fireworks were by Gandalf: they were not only brought by him, but designed and made by him; and the special effects, set pieces, and flights of ...
8
votes
3answers
132 views
What's the upshot?
Upshot has been used in my presence about six times today. I know what it means in the figurative sense, and I assumed it was derived from sports so I looked up its etymology.
Dictionary.com ...
4
votes
1answer
89 views
Origin of “not for quids” phrase
At various times I've supposed the informal Australian phrase “not for quids” (which apparently is analogous to “not at any price”) derives from quid, which refers to sovereigns, or guineas. At ...
5
votes
3answers
164 views
What is actually being doubled when someone has to “double back”?
I have frequently heard this phrase and used it myself when I've gone in a wrong direction either physically or at work metaphorically. However, I wonder why the phrase is double back, since once you ...
6
votes
2answers
207 views
Meaning of “Y-o-u-u Tom!”
In the opening chapter of Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom's aunt Polly calls out to him in a rather peculiar fashion:
She went to the open door and stood in it, and looked out among the ...
2
votes
1answer
389 views
What's the meaning and origin of “Herp Derp”?
I have seen, usually in internet meme jokes, the term "herp derp" being used in a derogatory sense, but I don't know what it mean exactly — apart from the fact it seems to be related with dumbness or ...
-2
votes
1answer
77 views
What is the meaning “borderline cuckoo” [closed]
Please read below excerpt from "Revolution 2020" by "Chetan Bhagat"
I didn't give a fuck about Raghav anymore, He had anyway become borderline cuckoo, with his pink- newspaper. Aarti deserved ...
8
votes
2answers
115 views
Origin of the expression 'hard by'?
There's an expression "hard by", which I understand to mean "nearby", "close by". I don't know if it could be called an idiom, but it baffled me when I first encountered it in the translation of ...
0
votes
3answers
152 views
What is the origin for meaning of “Wild-card”?
Please go through the below excerpt from "The tales of Kasi" by "Madhira Subbanna Deekshitulu"
'Kasyam maranam mukti', goes the sanskrit saying, which means dying in Kasi leads to liberation. ...
4
votes
3answers
248 views
Etymology and meaning of the word “snog”
Having looked to urban dictionary, witionary, online etymology, dictionary.com, Wikipedia and wordfreaks.tribe.net, I have found a wide variance in the etymology and definition of the word snog. I ...
