‘to stick out like a sore thumb’ – ‘to be on hand like a sore thumb’
‘to stick out like a sore thumb’ USA, 1868, to be glaringly obvious— ‘to be on hand like a sore thumb’ USA, 1849, to be fully available
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meaning and origin of the phrase ‘weasel word’
USA, 1900—a word which takes away the meaning of the concept expressed—weasels are said to suck eggs out without breaking the shells
Read Moremeanings and origin of the phrase ‘visiting fireman’
USA, 1909—a person given especially cordial treatment while visiting an organisation or place; a tourist expected to spend freely
Read Moremeaning and origin of the phrase ‘the silly season’
coined in The Saturday Review (London, 13 July 1861) about the shortage of important news in autumn in The Times of London
Read Moremeanings and origin of ‘all over the shop’
UK, 1862—‘in every direction’ and ‘in a disorganised or confused state’—apparently originated in sports slang
Read Moremeaning and origin of the phrase ‘to get one’s wires crossed’
USA, 1878—to misunderstand—alludes to an accidental connexion between telephone or telegraph wires of different lines or circuits
Read Moremeaning and origin of the phrase ‘wigs on the green’
Ireland, 1820—violent quarrel—refers to the fact that wigs are liable to fall or to be pulled off in a fray
Read Moreorigin and meanings of ‘shotgun wedding’, or ‘shotgun marriage’
USA, 1878—an enforced wedding—from the fact that, on occasions, men were actually coerced at gunpoint into marriage
Read Moremeaning and origin of the phrase ‘(and) the best of British luck’
UK, 1957—an expression of encouragement, but often used ironically with the opposite meaning—origin unclear
Read Moremeaning and origin of the phrase ‘Benjamin’s portion’
UK, 1753—the largest share—alludes to Genesis, 43:34, where Benjamin receives the largest portion of food from his brother Joseph
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