Author Archives: Lior

What is a hipster? and what’s the story behind hipster fashion?

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Lior

Have you ever seen a scruffily clad teen, 20-or 30-something wearing large, thick, black glasses (perhaps even without lenses!), possibly sporting a badge featuring nothing but a mysterious black mustache? Or perhaps you’ve noticed people who look like they’ve just … Continue reading →

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Why do I have big ears?

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Lior

Prince Charles, “Made in Chelsea” star Ollie Locke, actresses Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Katie Holmes, YouTuber ijustine and politician Tony Blair all have one thing in common: they have all been endowed with healthy sized ears! So if you … Continue reading →

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Eat your heart out: Meaning and Phrase Origin

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Lior

Today, whilst making an observation about the imaginative talents of youtuber John Green for his creatively named computer-game football team, the Swindon Town Swoodilypoopers, my companion laughingly said “Eat your heart out Dr Seuss!”. Mid-laugh I suddenly realised what he’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Etymology | Tagged | 1 Comment

Etymology of Toast: Why is it called a toast?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Lior

A toast is a piece of lightly scorched bread, right? So why do we call the raising of our glasses at events like weddings, a toast? Toasted bread and raising a wine glass in a toast really do have more … Continue reading →

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Origin of the toast: Why do we toast?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Lior

If an alien landed on Earth and observed a human stand up whilst holding a glass, followed by a room full of people all holding up their glasses and taking a sip in perfect unison amidst a chorus of shouts, … Continue reading →

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Meaning of Place Names: Why do we call places by certain names?

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Lior

Behind every name is a story, and this goes for place names too. Although each individual place has a unique specific definition, there are some common components and terms for the names of English-speaking cities, towns and settlements. Knowing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Etymology | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Jack cards: Why are Jacks called Jacks?

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Lior

Have you ever played cards and suddenly wondered why we call the Jack cards Jacks? It seems a bit strange and out of place considering the other picture cards are a King and a Queen. Why not call it a … Continue reading →

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Smart Alec Origin: Why do we say someone’s a Smart Alec?

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Lior

We’ve all known Smart Alecs in our time. And most of us have been Smart Alecs at least once in our lives too! It’s those moments when you take joy in sharing something clever you’ve learned and inadvertently come off … Continue reading →

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By the seat of your pants: Why do I say that I fly by the seat of my pants?

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Lior

Whether we’re going into an exam or a meeting unprepared, or whether we are blagging our way through a conversation where we’re trying to seem knowledgeable about a subject we haven’t studied in great depth, we know we’re flying by … Continue reading →

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Get your Goat Origin: Why do we say someone has got your goat?

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Lior

You know someone has got your goat when your face starts to resemble a beetroot and steam threatens to come out your ears as you feel anger and annoyance seething within… But what has getting angry really got to do … Continue reading →

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