Tag Archives: interest-phrases

  1. Where Did The Phrase “March Madness” Come From?

    If it’s spring, it must be time for our fancy to turn to thoughts of basketball and, of course, March Madness—an interesting term, if we’ve ever heard one. Would you be surprised to find out the term March Madness didn’t originate with basketball? The phrase seems to date back to the 1800s and is thought to be connected to the much older expression mad as a March hare. But …

  2. Caesar assassination painting

    What Is The Origin Of “Beware The Ides Of March”?

    March 15 is known as the ides of March. But why do we need to “beware” of them? What’s so inauspicious about this otherwise normal day? Why has this humdrum mid-month point become a harbinger of ill fortune? Where did the phrase ides of March come from? First, let’s talk calendars—specifically, the ancient Roman calendar. Unlike today, the ancient Romans didn’t simply number their calendar days in …

  3. Where Did The Word “Achoo” Come From? Why Do We Say “Bless You”?

    When someone sneezes, we often use the word achoo to describe the sound. Every time we hear an achoo, we are often compelled to answer with a Bless you or God bless you. But why? Where did the word achoo come from, and why do we feel the need to bless someone whenever we hear a sneeze? This instance of onomatopoeia imitates the sound of …

  4. “Onto” vs. “On To”: What’s The Difference?

    Is there a difference between onto and on to? Does the space change the meaning? And when should one be used instead of the other? In this article, we will explain the difference between onto and on to, explore when and how they are typically used, and provide example sentences that show them in use. The single word onto is most commonly used as a …

  5. image of unimpressed cat

    “Happy Monday” Alternatives From The Dictionary.com Staff

    By Nick Norlen, Senior Editor “Happy Monday!” Do you cringe a little every time someone says this or, worse, you find yourself saying it? “Happy” indicates celebration, right? “Happy Birthday!” “Happy New Year!” “Happy Friday!” These all make sense. But “Happy Monday”? Slow down, Captain Positive. For many of us, Monday morning begins a Monday mourning the end of Sunday Funday. Here at Dictionary.com, we …

  6. dark blue text "flush out or flesh out" on light blue background

    Flush Out Or Flesh Out: When To Use Each Phrase

    The phrases flesh out and flush out are proof of how much difference a single letter can make. They sound very similar, but their meanings are completely different. One is mainly used in abstract contexts, such as ideas and plans. The other is often used in literal contexts involving liquids and things like pipes and fire hydrants, as well as in other ways. In this …

  7. Get A Leg Up: Phrases That Originate From Horse Racing

  8. puppy football

    “Pup-ular” Words To Use During The Doggone Puppy Bowl

    There are two big games scheduled on Super Bowl Sunday. For sports fans, there’s the football game, sure. But for fans of furry adorableness, Animal Planet will be returning with their annual Puppy Bowl. Team Ruff tangles with Team Fluff for all the marbles. Or all the kibble, if you will. Prepare yourself for the ultimate puppy showdown with some phrases inspired by man’s best …

  9. Idioms That Make Our Skin Crawl

  10. The Saddest Phrases In The English Language

  11. Hindenburg zeppelin explosion in a blue and purple filter

    What In The World Is The “Hindenburg Omen”?

    While it may sound like a sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a Hindenburg Omen isn’t any fun. If you want to call attention to potential bad news, it’s hard to go wrong with the name Hindenburg. What was the Hindenburg? Paul von Hindenburg was a celebrated World War I general and a less celebrated president of Germany. The more infamous Hindenburg, however, is the dirigible named …

  12. “On line” vs. “In line”: Which Do You Say?

    Some people find it easy to tell if someone is from New York or New Jersey the moment they meet them—all they have to do is start chatting! And if the New Yorker’s accent isn’t an immediate giveaway, the phrase on line usually is. In many states across the country, it’s all the same: people stand in line at the grocery store, wait in line …