A-Z Database

A-Z Database

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Epsom races

British rhyming slang for ‘braces’, Epsom races/braces; one of the oldest examples of rhyming slang, dates from 1857.


Equation

see Out of the equation


Even Stevens

A rhyming compound that means simply even i.e. nothing owed, or back to square one with no advantage to either party. Sometimes it can also mean neck-...

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Evening all

The catchphrase of PC Dixon played by Jack Warner in the British television series Dixon of Dock Green during the 1950s.


Every cloud has a silver lining

In this metaphor, 'clouds' are problems or difficulties, and the 'silver linings' are the solutions or positive aspects to those problems or difficult...

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Every dog has his day

Even the lowliest gets a chance for glory or success, an ancient proverb known to both the Greeks and the Romans, first appears in English c. 1539. Sh...

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Every now and then

Repeatedly, at short intervals, dates from the mid-17th century. 


Every one in a while

From time to time, less frequently than every now and then, US colloquial, dates from the early 19th century.


Every trick in the book

Every available method of achieving something or other, date from the early 19th century. Book here is used in the sense of a particular body of knowl...

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Everything but (or including) the kitchen sink

To throw or commit everything but (or including) the kitchen sink at something or other, is to commit absolutely everything. According to Eric Partrid...

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Evil to him who thinks evil

This is the translation of the French honi soit qui mal y pense the motto of the Order of the Garter, attributed to King Edward III in 1349.


Excrement

Jocular British students’ exclamation that means excellent; dates from the late 20th/early 21st century.


Excuse my French

see Pardon/Excuse my French


Extra string to one’s bow

see Another string to one one’s bow


Extract the Michael

see take the Mickey


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