I mean for example,i know where the phrase 'to take you down a peg or two' comes from,and 'on the wagon' , 'one for the road'. Does anyone else know where everyday phrases come from?
2006-06-14 11:12:16 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Lots come from William Shakespeare's work.
Things like 'it's all Greek to me'
2006-06-14 11:18:39 · answer #1 · answered by charleymac 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many phrases come from literature. Shakespeare, Milton, Chaucer get much of the credit. One phrase I hear all the time I just discovered the origin this weekend. "Go the extra mile" is actually a variant form of a directive by Jesus when he said that if someone makes you go with them one mile, you should go two. Maybe I'm a little slow on the uptake, but I never knew where that phrase came from. "Tearing your hair out" has a Biblical reference as well, thin time in the Old Testament.
2006-06-14 20:08:05 · answer #2 · answered by Cathe B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they come from the Daily Phrase Bank. DPB. Every city has one, and each day several phrases are released for use. Some have velocity and can travel for years and become commonplace. Others are like lead weights in quicksand- they just dont have any momentum at all.
Thanks for Sharing!
Have A Good Day!
In a While Crocodile!
2006-06-14 18:20:02 · answer #3 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.phrases.org.uk/meanings
www.phrases.org.uk
One for the road
Meaning
A final drink taken just before leaving on a journey.
Origin
Thought to originate from the practice of offering condemned felons a final drink at pubs on the way to the Tyburn Tree, which was the place of public execution in London
2006-06-14 18:21:11 · answer #4 · answered by sortofsilver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nice people at "Brewer's Phrase and Fable", a dictionary of just the exact thing you like.
2006-06-14 18:18:56 · answer #5 · answered by Kango Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋