A-Z Database
The boss, chief or person in charge is American slang the origin of which is the slight corruption of the Japanese word hancho meaning leader. The US...
The literal meaning dates from the mid-19th century and refers of course to the practice of certain peoples, mainly in South East Asia and South Ameri...
see Flat spin
Divorced from reality, a fanciful dreamer, dates from the 1600s.
see Put one’s head in the lion’s mouth
See Get up a full head of steam.
Often used in the context of falling in love but the expression started off, more logically when one thinks about it, as heels over head. It describes...
Used to describe a very close, direct confrontation or contest and dates from the late 18th/early 19th century. See also Toe to toe.
US slang expression for being clueless dates from the 1970s.
Slang for fellatio; dates from the 1950s.
see Run around like a headless chicken
Wild, impetuous progress with the head pointing foremost, dates from the late 1400s and, according to the OED, is derived from the earlier and now obs...
The question heads or tails is asked when tossing a coin and dates from the late 1600s when English coins of the day generally bore the head of a mona...
Heads up is an American expression that started life as an interjection during the early 20th century meaning, pay attention. As time went by, from ar...
see Grapevine