“ad fontes!”
UK, 1871—a paper bag, balloon, etc., filled with flour and thrown or dropped such that it bursts and disperses its contents over the target on impact, usually as a prank or as part of a protest or public demonstration
Read MoreUSA 1913: a newcomer—but, from 1883 onwards, in birth announcements: a newborn baby
Read MoreUSA, 1869—originally and chiefly used in relation to the Wild West, refers to a decisive confrontation between two gunfighters
Read Moreto urinate—slang—2nd half of the 20th century—based on the sound /eɪn/, common to the verb, adjective and noun that compose it—‘main vein’ probably refers to the penis
Read MoreUSA, 1871—a traditional method of teaching consisting of lectures (talk) illustrated chiefly on the blackboard (chalk)
Read More1843—a representation of a human skull or skeleton, originally crafted from sugar and intended to be eaten and often given to children as a gift around Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Read MoreU.S. criminals’ slang, 1915—to reveal the truth about something secret or private
Read MoreBritish slang, 1745—to have one alcoholic drink after another—the image is that the first drink wets one eye, and the second drink wets the other eye
Read MoreUK, 1845—to celebrate the birth of a child by drinking alcohol
Read MoreUSA, 1826—a laugh by a person in a state of religious fervour—especially used in reference to Methodist camp-meetings
Read More
word histories 