A - Z Database
Spook meaning a ghost dates from 1801, according The Oxford English Dictionary, and derives from Dutch and German. Spook meaning to frighten suddenly,...
A Roman Catholic prayer to Mary the mother of Christ, from the Latin Ave Maria, that dates from the 14th century. More recently, from the 1930s, was f...
A mild, derogatory term for a potentially deranged, irresponsible, or useless person. A colloquial expression first cited from c. 1860, from the obvio...
A weak, ineffectual, potentially despicable person. American English expression first cited from the late 19th century. Derives from persons that cree...
Describes the unpleasant sensation of mild fear or abhorrence that one sometimes experiences, usually in the presence of someone or something that cau...
Colloquial expression for any, usually unpleasant, crawling insect. First cited from c. 1861.
This very strange word with its many alternative spellings, beside the three above, including 'cattywampus', 'kittywampus' etc. is of American origin,...
At one time or another, we have all burnt our fingers either cooking, tending a fire, or striking matches. It is not a pleasant experience. Hence, whe...
see Get one's fingers burned/burnt
Today in America, snake oil means rubbish or nonsense, much the same as poppycock. Back in the 1920s, snake oil referred to fake or sham remedies that...
To motor along is US informal that has spread to most English speaking countries, meaning to move quickly and steadily, to make swift, efficient progr...
A common South African English expression that means 'lucky you', usually in the form of an exclamation. Dates from the early 20th century, and probab...
According to the OED, the figurative use of grip, meaning control or mastery of something or other, dates from 1450. 'Lose one's grip' meaning failing...
This expression is used to emphasize that something is definitely not the case or that something is impossible to believe, even after a great deal of...
This alliterative expression describes a person who is in robust and good health. Hale and hearty are words that mean the same thing, namely robust an...