Phrase Craze Archives

Etymology of ‘Cold Turkey’

The etymology of the phrase 'cold turkey.'

Etymology of ‘Two Cents’

The etymology of the phrase 'Putting in my two cents.'

Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride

Common usage of the phrase "Always a bridesmaid but never a bride" originated with an...

‘The Whole Nine Yards’ Etymology

The etymology of the phrase 'the whole nine yards.'

Etymology of Buy the Farm

Were death benefits paid to beneficiaries of soldiers who died in battle often enough to...

Etymology of ‘Another Kick at the Cat’

The etymology of the phrase 'another kick at the cat.'

Etymology of ‘Salad Days’

The etymology of the phrase 'salad days.'

Etymology of ‘Little History Lesson’

The etymology of the phrases contained in the 'Little History Lesson' article.

Etymology of Mad As a Hatter

Does the phrase 'mad as a hatter' refer to hat-makers poisoned by mercury fumes?

What’s the Origin of ‘Letting the Cat Out of the Bag’?

There is nothing obvious about why a cat's being released from a bag has anything...

Etymology of ‘Mind your P’s and Q’s.’

The etymology of the phrase 'Mind your p's and q's.'

Etymologies of ‘One for the Road’ and ‘On the Wagon’

The etymologies of the phrases 'One for the road' and 'On the wagon.'