A - Z Database
A medley or jumble of different things dates from the 1400s and derives from the Old French hochepot, from hocher to shake, literally to shake the pot...
Headstrong, rash, impetuous person dates from the mid-17th century.
A showy, vacuous, impetuous person, an American expression dates from the 1920s. Its earlier reference to shooting, either recklessly or expertly, is...
Literally, one whose spur is hot from impetuous, fast-paced riding dates from the 1400s, hence one that is impetuous or fiery-spirited, which dates fr...
The source is the New Testament, Matthew, 12:21, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided again...
see Get on like a house on fire
American expressions of delight and triumph, usually inviting admiration or praise for something one has achieved or acquired, rather than a reply. So...
The source is the Bible, Samuel II, 1:25, “How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle!” It is repeated two verses further on in 1:27, “How are t...
Rhetorical question, to which there is no answer, dates from the early 20th century.
See Know how many beans make five
An old English proverb, the full version of which is “Half the world knows not how the other half lives.” It appears in Jacula Prudentum (1651) by Geo...
See How are the mighty fallen
This expression was popularised as the title of a famous self-help book written by Dale Carnegie and published in America in 1936. It is not certain i...
This American contraction of how do you do dates from the mid-19th century.
An error so glaring that it may be greeted by howls of disbelief, dates from the late 19th century.