Kevin McCarthy
Media Literacy
2023 NFL Season
Ukraine War
TikTok Rumors
Phrase Craze
Here’s my two cents” in the sense of airing an unsolicited opinion dates only to the mid-1920s, and likely began in the U.S.

The Etymology of 'Two Cents'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson
Jun 1, 2013 Here's our two cents on why people use the phrase, and what some people believe are its origins.
Read More

Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
May 9, 2013 Common usage of the phrase "Always a bridesmaid but never a bride" originated with an advertisin ...
Read More

'The Whole Nine Yards' Etymology

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
May 1, 2012 The etymology of the phrase 'the whole nine yards.'
Read More

Etymology of 'Another Kick at the Cat'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Feb 21, 2012 The etymology of the phrase 'another kick at the cat.'
Read More

Etymology of 'Salad Days'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Apr 23, 2011 The etymology of the phrase 'salad days.'
Read More

Etymology of 'Little History Lesson'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Nov 1, 2010 The etymology of the phrases contained in the 'Little History Lesson' article.
Read More
cat bag

What's the Origin of 'Letting the Cat Out of the Bag'?

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Aug 7, 2010 There is nothing obvious about why a cat's being released from a bag has anything to do with tru ...
Read More

Etymology of 'Mind your P's and Q's.'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Jun 4, 2010 The etymology of the phrase 'Mind your p's and q's.'
Read More

Etymologies of 'One for the Road' and 'On the Wagon'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Feb 13, 2010 The etymologies of the phrases 'One for the road' and 'On the wagon.'
Read More

Etymology of 'Card Shark' and 'Card Sharp'

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
May 25, 2008 Is someone who cheats at cards properly styled a 'card shark,' not a 'card sharp'?
Read More

Etymology of Kilroy Was Here

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Feb 18, 2008 Did the phrase 'Kilroy Was Here' began as a ship inspector's mark in World War II?
Read More
A small gun on a table.

Etymology of Son of a Gun

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Sep 6, 2002 The disputed etymology of 'son of a gun.'
Read More

Etymology of Buy the Farm

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Feb 26, 2002 Were death benefits paid to beneficiaries of soldiers who died in battle often enough to pay off ...
Read More

Why Do We Say 'Bless You!' When Someone Sneezes?

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Apr 17, 2001 Some questions, no matter how simple, don't have one knowable answer.
Read More

Life in the 1500s

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Dec 16, 2000 A list purported to offer the origins of numerous common English-language sayings dating to the ...
Read More

Etymology of Mad As a Hatter

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson
Apr 24, 2000 Does the phrase 'mad as a hatter' refer to hat-makers poisoned by mercury fumes?
Read More
Page: 1