A-Z Database
Sometimes known as creative licence where reality may be stretched for the sake of artistic expression, was first coined by Cicero (106-43 B.C.) poeta...
Point-blank range means very close, so close in fact that one is hardly likely to miss the target. The phrase dates from the 16th century and the ‘bla...
Australian slang for urinate, porcelain being the lavatory bowl and Percy the penis. It was coined by Barry Humphries for the Barry McKenzie comic str...
Openly accuse or apportion blame to someone dates from the 1500s.
A poisoned chalice is a metaphor for something that appears to be a reward, seemingly beneficial to the recipient, but in reality could be harmful or...
To jab or punch with the fist, is pugilistic slang from the late 18th century. It is also slang for sexual intercourse, which dates from the early 190...
see Stick one’s nose in
A poker face or a person who is poker faced is expressionless and gives nothing away, an Americanism dates from the late 19th century and derives from...
In its figurative sense, pole axed means to be stunned. In its literal sense, no one in his or her right mind would want to be pole axed, because it m...
Poles apart means as far away as possible, or the complete opposite, and the poles referred to are the north and south poles, two points on the planet...
Polka-dotted fabrics first made their appearance in Britain in 1857 when the dance craze, the polka, was at its height. The dance was so popular at th...
A poltergeist is a spirit that makes itself known by making noises and the word is a loan word from the German, dating from the early 19th century. It...
Australian and New Zealand slang for the British and British immigrants in particular. The term dates from around the turn of the 19th/20th century an...
This expression has passed into the language since the early 17th century meaning a showy or extravagant celebration, sometimes with a hint of unneces...
British informal word for a pimp or an effeminate, dressy man dates from the late 19th century and the origin remains unknown. Some sources maintain i...