Idioms
An archaic expression of surprise rarely heard these days, but common enough in literary work since the 16th century. It is a contraction of the oath,...
Mojo is an African American term for a lucky charm or magic spell, and has broadly come to mean magical power that gives people confidence and control...
See Easy as falling off a log
Derogatory term for a low-class person, literally a gatherer of refuse from the gutter, a street urchin, first attested from 1869.
Means to be, or cease to be, a nuisance or a problem to someone. From the allusion of getting something stuck in one's hair, which can be problema...
Something to ponder. Something that requires careful consideration. Dates from the late 19th century. Perhaps derives from 'having something to ch...
Repeatedly, at short intervals, dates from the mid-17th century.
Picky means choosy or fastidious when it comes to making choices, as in pick and choose. Picky in this sense dates from the late 19th century, and is...
From time to time, less frequently than every now and then, US colloquial, dates from the early 19th century.
Acronym for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, and Questioning, the latter for people who have not made up their minds about their sexual orientatio...
Acronym for 'leg before wicket', a term used in cricket when the ball strikes a batsman on the pads or legs, and if, in the umpire's judgm...
Of one's own accord, without assistance. From the obvious allusion to steam-powered engines that seem to continue working of their own accord once...
Go or arrive at maximum speed or power, derives, of course, from steam engines where 'head' refersto the piston being driven by the steam and...
See Get up a full head of steam.
Mainly British, Australian and New Zealand informal for cheap, average quality wine. The expression originated amongst Australian soldiers during WWI...