‘to spill one’s guts (out)’: meaning and origin
U.S. criminals’ slang, 1915—to reveal the truth about something secret or private
Read MoreCategory: USA & Canada
‘war cake’: meaning and origin
a cake made with the ingredients available during wartime—first used during the First World War (1914-1918)—came back into usage during the Second World War (1939-1945)
Read More‘holy laugh’: meaning and origin
USA, 1826—a laugh by a person in a state of religious fervour—especially used in reference to Methodist camp-meetings
Read More‘Left-Bankish’: meaning and origin
USA, 1936—characteristic or reminiscent of the Left Bank (‘Rive Gauche’ in French), the part of Paris south of the River Seine, noted for its intellectual and artistic life
Read More‘California toothpick’: meaning and origin
USA, 1851—a bowie-knife—apparently coined in relation to the California Gold Rush, which began in 1848
Read More‘California widow’: meaning and origin
Australia & USA, 1850—a married woman whose husband has left to prospect for gold in California
Read More‘clergyman’s sore throat’: meaning and origin
chronic pharyngitis—first used in medical texts published in Philadelphia from 1837 onwards—in reference to preachers who overstrain their voice
Read Morenotes on the phrase ‘to walk Spanish’
early 19th century—chiefly U.S.—to be forced by another to walk on tiptoe—to walk cautiously—to be discharged or dismissed—to discharge or dismiss (someone)—origin unknown
Read More‘buyer’s remorse’: meanings and origin
USA, 1946—a feeling of regret experienced after making a purchase—also, in extended use: a feeling of regret experienced after voting for a particular person or programme
Read More‘Zapata moustache’: meaning and origin
UK, 1958—a type of moustache in which the two ends extend downwards to the chin—refers to Emiliano Zapata, who was portrayed with a moustache of this kind by Marlon Brando in Viva Zapata! (1952)
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