origin and meanings of ‘dreaming spires’
the city or university of Oxford; the sheltered condition of unworldly academics—from the poem ‘Thyrsis’ (1866), by Matthew Arnold
Read More“ad fontes!”
the city or university of Oxford; the sheltered condition of unworldly academics—from the poem ‘Thyrsis’ (1866), by Matthew Arnold
Read MoreUK, 1789—aided by alliteration, arose from a long-established figurative use of ‘brass’, sometimes in association with ‘bold’
Read MoreUSA, 1910—originated as a line in the musical comedy The Girl of My Dreams—allegedly coined by music-hall artist Nita Allen
Read MoreUK, 1920—to commit a blunder; to make a tactless or indiscreet remark—meaning obscure in some early uses
Read MoreBritish Army slang, 1945—the image is of something dropping with a clang, i.e. with a loud resonant ringing sound.
Read MoreUSA, late 19th century—party held by female guests to present gifts of a particular kind to a bride-to-be
Read MoreUK, 1869—inaccurate translation of Latin ‘panem and circenses’ (literally ‘bread and circus games’) as used by the Roman poet Juvenal
Read Moreletter of thanks for hospitality: ‘bread-and-butter letter’ (USA, late 19th century) – ‘Collins’ (UK, early 20th century, from the name of William Collins in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice)
Read MoreThe image of one’s bread getting or being buttered has long been used to denote getting or having benefits, advantages.
Read MoreAfter ready-sliced bread was introduced, improvements in the baking industry were assessed by comparison with it—hence the figurative use of ‘since sliced bread’
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