A good egg is a reliable, trustworthy, and supportive person who doesn’t have a big ego. They are emotionally strong and don’t create obligations. Rotten eggs are manipulative and self-serving. The terms are metaphors based on the idea that first impressions can be deceiving. A good egg could be something you order for breakfast, but […]
“Have a go” means attempting to achieve something, often after others have failed. It implies the person may not succeed. Idioms like this provide shorter, more folksy ways of saying things. “Try” is used when someone is unlikely to achieve their goal but will valiantly try anyway. “Try it” has the same meaning. “Have a […]
The number of single women, or “freemales,” who choose a solitary lifestyle and value friendships over romantic relationships, is on the rise. Reasons for this choice vary, but some cite a desire for a free lifestyle or a preference for a solitary life. The growing number of freemales may be linked to the divorce rate, […]
Clone funds replicate the structure and performance of an index or similar fund using derivatives. They were once popular for generating income for retirement plans but are now less common. Clone funds can be insured at a lower price than mutual funds, but restrictions now limit their use in retirement and investment packages. The clone […]
A catch line is a short phrase or slogan used by companies for advertising and branding purposes. It should capture the consumer’s attention, summarize the essence of the company, and encourage them to buy goods or services. Catch lines are usually short, catchy, and easy to remember, and can reflect a company’s image or goals. […]
Verbal adjectives are verbs used to modify nouns, behaving like adjectives with tense attributes. They usually end in “-ed” or -ing”. They can be paired with objects and act as nouns. Not all words ending in “-ed” or -ing” are verbal adjectives, and irregular verbs have different past participles. More commonly called a participle in […]
The term “buffoon” can refer to a clown or jester who entertained people in the Middle Ages, but can also be used to describe someone who is foolish or clumsy. The term originated from the Italian word “buffare” and was borrowed by the French. Buffoons had to walk a fine line between being funny and […]
Symbolism and allegory both use symbols, but not all stories with symbolism are allegories. Symbols represent abstract ideas or people, and some have become clichés. Allegories are complete stories with every character, action, object, and setting as a symbol. Many are intended for ethical instruction, and some use obvious character names. Religious writings often use […]
A kindred spirit is someone who shares beliefs, values, or interests with another person, forming a relationship or association between them. Age, gender, and race do not prevent such a relationship, which can exist between larger entities such as groups and organizations. The term can also apply to animals. Also known as a soul mate, […]
“Mare’s nest” is a phrase used to describe a messy or complicated situation, but its original meaning referred to a false discovery or hoax. Over time, the meaning shifted to confusion and then chaos. The modern meaning may be influenced by the term “rat’s nest” and popularized by authors like Agatha Christie. A mare’s nest […]
Jungian archetypes are figures or roles based on the concept of archetypes within the collective unconscious, proposed by Carl Jung. There are four main figures: shadow, self, anima, and animus, and other archetypes are assigned to those around them. Characters in literature often represent these archetypes. A Jungian archetype is a figure or role based […]
A whipper-in assists the hunter during a hunt for foxes and other prey by managing and controlling the dogs. They may also care for the dogs in kennels. The whipper-in carries a whip to control the hounds and helps check their condition after the hunt. They may also care for the dogs in kennels and […]
Bacchante, followers of Bacchus in Roman mythology, are depicted as mad women engaging in acts of frantic intoxication. They carry a thrysus, a staff made of giant fennel and topped with a pine cone, and are often half-dressed in animal skins and vine leaves. Bacchae appear in their most destructive guise in Euripides’ Bacchae and […]
A shoo-in is a heavily favored entry in horse racing, politics, or employment. It can create pressure for the favored candidate and discourage others from competing. The term comes from the verb to shoo, meaning to guide or manipulate. A shoo-in benefits from both internal and external factors and is often seen as a safe […]
Optimism is positive thinking, focusing on the good in a situation, while pessimism focuses on the negative. Optimists are more open to possibilities and tend to have better overall health and coping skills. However, they may be criticized for avoiding reality. An optimist is a person who engages in positive thinking, or “looking on the […]
Fixators provide support and stability to a part of the body in motion. Internal fixation uses screws and devices to support bone healing, while external fixators provide support to broken bones. Muscles can also act as fixators. Simple fractures can be healed with a cast, but complicated fractures require internal or external bone fixation. Orthopedic […]
Orthopedists specialize in treating eye movement abnormalities, working with ophthalmologists to test patients and determine treatment options. They may work with specific age groups and must have good communication skills and patience, as well as a Bachelor’s degree and two years of training. An orthopedist works directly with an ophthalmologist and their patients, specializing in […]
Aggressive accounting involves misstatements on balance sheets to make a company appear financially stable. It can inflate financial markets and hurt investors. Regulators attempt to regulate accounting practices to make it more difficult to engage in creative accounting. Aggressive accounting is a business practice in which certain misstatements are made on balance sheets and in […]
State brands increase social prestige within a community or subculture, regardless of cost. Luxury brands are defined by cost and association with a well-known manufacturer or designer. State brand ownership signals recognition of community values and leadership, and can raise an individual’s status. A state brand is a brand of consumer goods that can increase […]
Wooden talk is vague rhetoric used by authoritarian leaders to distract listeners from questioning their decisions. It often includes weasel words to appeal to emotions rather than rationality, and is compared to propaganda. The term “word weasel” comes from Shakespearean language. Wooden talk is a certain type of rhetoric that consists of vague words and […]
