A-Z Database

A-Z Database

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Apple-pie order

Apple-pie order means that everything is shipshape and in good order. Like apple-pie bed, the origin is uncertain. Once again, there are theories that...

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Apples

see How do you like them apples?


Apples with apples

see Compare apples with apples


Apples/Apples and pears

British rhyming slang for stairs, apples and pears/stairs, one of the oldest examples of rhyming slang, first recorded in 1857, but in verbal usage be...

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April

see Months of the year


April Fool/April Fools’ Day

Traditionally the first day in April is known as April Fools’ Day. References and citations for the first of April as April Fools’ Day go back as far...

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April fools

Rhyming slang for workshop tools, April fools/tools, dates from the late 19th century. In addition, it is also rhyming slang for stools, as in barstoo...

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April showers

Rhyming slang for flowers, April showers/flowers, dates from the early 20th century.


Archbishop

What is the difference between a bishop and an archbishop? Everyone knows archbishop is the higher rank, but what is the exact significance of the arc...

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Archipelago

This apparent rogue word continues to baffle etymologists. It has been in use since 1502 according to the OED, describing a mass of islands surrounded...

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Architect

This familiar word has been in use since the 16th century and its original meaning was master builder from the Greek archos (ǎρχος) meaning chief or p...

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Argle-bargle

see Argy-bargy


Argy-bargy

Alternative spellings are argie-bargie and argey-bargey meaning a spat or an argument. It can also be used as a verb. The first part of the expression...

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Aristotle

Rhyming slang for bottle, Aristotle/bottle, dates from late 19th century.


Ark

see Out of or from the Ark


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