A-Z Database
Rhyming slang for boots, daisy roots/boots, dates from the mid-19th century and is still in use.
In the late 18th century, a daisy-cutter was a horse that trotted with steps close to the turf in the sense that its hooves were cutting daisies. Abou...
According to the OED, this expression means to praise so half-heartedly or disingenuously as to imply condemnation. The exact phrase is generally attr...
Compromised, no matter what one does, this was Lorenzo Dow’s definition of Calvinism in Reflections on the Love of God published in 1836.
A damp squib is a disappointing outcome, a mediocre or failed enterprise, an anti-climax. A squib, which the OED maintains is an imitative word, is a...
see Put a damper on
To dance attendance is a metaphor that means to wait on someone in an ingratiating or assiduous manner. It is not known who coined the metaphor but it...
see Get one’s dander up
see Fine and dandy
This expression is used to describe a person facing an intimidating task or trial and the source is obviously the story of Daniel in the Bible, Daniel...
The word itself dates from the early 1400s when it originally meant heavy, strong, powerful or stout from the Middle Lower German or Middle Dutch dapp...
Darby and Joan is a British proverbial phrase for a happily married couple who share a quiet life of mutual devotion and attachment. It is first cited...
Literally, someone who is prepared to dare the devil and the word is first attested from the late 18th century when it was originally used to describe...
see Darkest Africa
This expression derives from horseracing where a dark horse was one that was unknown to bookmakers and punters alike. Thus, there was no form or infor...