The term “bandy words” originated from the game “bandy” in the 16th century, which involved quick and brutal trading of a ball. The ability to exchange words with an opponent has been highly valued in English debates for centuries, but can also have a negative connotation if someone is quarrelsome. The English idiom “to bandy […]
The phrase “through thick and thin” dates back to Anglo-Saxon England when people traveled through forests. It became a popular idiom in the 1300s and is now used metaphorically to describe perseverance through hardships. The phrase “through thick and thin” is one of the oldest recorded idioms in the English language, dating back to at […]
Shakespeare’s play ‘Richard II’ was written in 1592 and is based on the life of the English monarch who ruled from 1377 to 1399. The play is part of a tetralogy of historical works and focuses on Richard’s controversial reign, including his banishment of Henry of Bolingbroke and the eventual overthrow of Richard by Bolingbroke. […]
The phrase “leave the cat out of the bag” refers to revealing a secret. Its origin comes from medieval markets where unscrupulous merchants would substitute a cat for cattle in bags. The customer would only discover the scam upon opening the bag, so it was important not to let the cat out of the bag […]
The slang term “come a cropper” originated from falling off a horse in the 1700s and expanded to metaphorical falls. It does not come from a printing press inventor named Thomas Henry Cropper. The term was originally used among horsemen and became more widely used in British English. The origins of the slang term “come […]
The origin of the phrase “remember your Ps and Qs” is unclear, but one theory suggests it relates to bars keeping track of pints and quarts served. Another theory involves confusion between lowercase Ps and Qs in printing and handwriting. A chess-related explanation is also suggested. The phrase “remember your Ps and Qs” is often […]
The phrase “throw the baby out with the bathwater” originated in Germany and warns against discarding the good along with the bad. It comes from a time when Europeans rarely bathed and the water became dirty, making it possible to lose a child in the murky water. The term reminds us to avoid hasty decisions […]
The phrase “keep mum” originated in the 14th century and is linked to silent plays called “mummies.” “Mom” is imitative of a closed mouth and has Persian origins. The slang term is used in many English-speaking countries and can create humorous double entendres in headlines. The phrase “keep mum,” as in “keep silent,” has its […]
The idiom “sticking out like a sore thumb” means something is clearly out of place. It originated in the 16th century and was popularized in the Perry Mason novels. A sore thumb is noticeable due to its protective position and risk of re-injury. Other cultures have their own idioms for things out of place. When […]
The origins of Much Ado About Nothing’s plot are uncertain, but possible sources include The Faerie Queene, an Italian novel by Matteo Bandello, and Orlando Furioso. The romance between Hero and Claudius may have been written earlier, while the witty banter between Beatrice and Benedict is believed to be Shakespeare’s invention. Much Ado About Nothing […]
The phrase “raining cats and dogs” is used to describe heavy rain. The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it may have come from the littered streets of 16th-century cities after heavy rain washed garbage, including dead animals, into the streets. Other theories include mythological associations with cats and dogs controlling the weather or […]
Shakespeare’s “Timon of Athens” may have been inspired by ancient Greek works and the character of Timon appeared in non-surviving Greek tragedies. The play is considered a problem comedy and may have been co-authored with Thomas Middleton. Timon is a wealthy Athenian who becomes a misanthrope after losing his wealth and being denied by those […]
The origins of character names in Harry Potter novels provide hidden clues to their nature. JK Rowling’s extensive research and inclusion of mythology from various nations suggest the importance of name origins. Dumbledore’s name reflects his character, while Harry’s name means power. Hermione’s name is associated with magic and the earth, while Ron’s name suggests […]
The authorship of Shakespeare’s Edward III is uncertain, as it was published anonymously and not included in earlier collections of his work. Scholars believe he collaborated with another writer and later distanced himself from the play due to its portrayal of Scots. The play was based on the same literary source as most of his […]
Shakespeare’s Henry V is based on Holinshed’s Chronicles and other sources, depicting the King of England’s victory over the French at Agincourt. The play portrays Henry as a heroic ruler and may have been intended to bolster James I’s position as Elizabeth I’s heir. Shakespeare’s Henry V is one of his best known historical plays […]
Origination points are fees paid by borrowers to lenders when taking out a loan, often in real estate and mortgages. Lenders decide whether to charge points based on factors such as credit score and loan risk. Each point equals 1% of the total loan. Borrowers can decide whether to pay off discount points, while origination […]
The phrase “sweating like a pig” comes from the cooling process of iron “sows” and “piglets” during smelting. Actual pigs don’t sweat much and need water and mud to cool down. Cast iron was produced in China before the West. There are other pig-related idioms in English. The phrase “sweating like a pig” actually has […]
“Things Fall Apart” refers to a quote from Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming” and Achebe’s novel of the same name. The phrase suggests an unstoppable force of change and chaos. Achebe’s novel explores the collision of Nigerian and European societies and the loss of center in Igbo society. The reference to Yeats’ poem is seen […]
The phrase “barking up the wrong tree” comes from using trained dogs to hunt game. It means pursuing an idea based on faulty logic or understanding, and was first used in print in 1832 by American author James Kirk Paulding. The phrase “barking up the wrong tree” appears to be an expression of American origin, […]
The legend of Romeo and Juliet predates Shakespeare’s version by almost a century. The first known written version was by Masuccio Salernitano in 1476, followed by Luigi da Porto and Mateo Bandello. Shakespeare likely used these works to create his famous play. While Shakespeare’s tale of Romeo and Juliet is the best known version of […]
