Category Archives: Etymology

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 →

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 →

Unless you count things like cubed watermelons, few of the foods we eat are actually square shaped. So then why do we sometimes call a nourishing and wholesome meal a “square meal”?

When we refer to someone as beefy we generally mean that they are strong, muscly and robust. But why do we associate these qualities with beef of all things?

The aromatic black stuff has a wide array of entertaining nicknames including brain juice, bean juice, cup of jolt, jitter juice, wakey juice, rocket fuel, cupped lightening, brew, mud, Java and of course “cup of Joe”. Why do you call … Continue reading →

When someone is described as being “as fresh as a daisy” we may picture a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, lively, alert, well-rested, energetic and enthusiastic individual. But why would a daisy be fresh? What is the meaning behind this idiom?

When someone is highly alert, sharp and generally at their best, we say that they are “on the ball”. What ball are we referring to? What is the origin of this phrase: “to be on the ball”?