A-Z Database
In expressions like ‘couldn’t give a fig’ or ‘not giving a fig’, the word fig is not, as often supposed, a euphemism for the f word. Since late mediev...
Not give a flying fuck expresses extreme indifference to whatever might be under consideration. There are two theories about its origin and both are v...
The expression not give a monkey’s is a more refined way of saying 'not give a damn' or 'not give a fuck' meaning that someone just doesn’t care about...
Meaning not to care in the slightest about the issue under consideration, is originally American from c. 1950, presumably because a rat’s arse is insi...
The original expression was that something or other was not worth a Continental Dollar. The expression was first coined during the American War of Ind...
To give someone the time of day is to greet or exchange salutations and dates from the 1500s. These days it is more usually expressed in the negative...
Exclamation of approbation or enthusiasm that is certainly not half-hearted, dates from c. 1905 and is thought to be of London Cockney origin.
Not to have a bean is to be penniless, and dates from the late 19th century. Bean or beans has been British slang for money since the 1850s.
see Stomach
see In my book
see Miss a trick
see Cop/copper/cop it
A British English expression, usually in the form of an exclamation that means 'not likely' or 'not on your life'. Eric Partridge maintains the origin...
see Out of the woods
see It’s not over till the fat lady sings