Tag Archives: etymology

Georgian Era Lexicon – Continuing with the Letter B – “Bo” to “Br”

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

In the singular form the lexicon of a particular subject is all the terms associated with it. The lexicon of a person or group is all the words they commonly use. As a plural noun, a lexicon is an alphabetical … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, etymology, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, language choices, Regency era, research, terminology, word choices, word origins, word play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Georgian Era Lexicon – Continuing with the Letter B – “Bo” to “Br”

Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 Jumping the Broom/Broomstick – This is a ceremony dating back to the 1600s and derived from Africa. Dating back to slave days, jumping the broom together has been part of weddings for couples who want to honor that tradition. It also … Continue reading →

Posted in etymology, word origins, word play | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

The Lovely World of the English Language ~ Do You Know These Idioms?

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Are you like me? Do you wonder from where a particular phrase originates? I am often in a position to search out a phrase or a word to determine whether it is too modern for my writings set in the … Continue reading →

Posted in word origins, word play | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 Do you know “bromide”? A bromide is a phrase or platitude or cliché whose excessive use suggests insincerity or a lack of originality in the speaker. The term “bromide” derives from the antiquated use of bromide salts in medicine as mild tranquilizers and … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, history | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Are You Familiar With These Words and Phrases?

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Spillikin ~ The Oxford Living Dictionaries gives us: [treated as singular] A game played with a heap of small rods of wood, bone, or plastic, in which players try to remove one at a time without disturbing the others, while Wikitionary … Continue reading →

Posted in etymology, language choices, Pop Culture, tall tales, vocabulary, word origins | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Are You Familiar with These Words and Phrases?

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Bell the Cat ~ To hang a bell around a cat’s neck to provide a warning. Figuratively, the expression refers to any task that is difficult or impossible to achieve. This explanation comes from Phrase Finder. This expression ultimately derives from the … Continue reading →

Posted in word origins, word play | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Are You Familiar with These Words and Phrases?

Are You Familiar with These Words and Phrases?

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

I love unusual words and phrases and often make note of them as I read. Today, we have a nice mix.  “As Nice as Ninepence“ means neat, tidy, well-ordered. Phrase Finder tells us that the origin of the phrase may … Continue reading →

Posted in etymology, word origins | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Do You Know The Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Three Sheets to the Wind – Urban Dictionary defines this phrase to mean “to be explicitly drunk; inebriated.” The origin is likely found in practicality: Sheets actually refer to the ropes that are used to secure a ship’s sail. If the … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Canterbury tales, etymology, history, Jane Austen, real life tales, tall tales, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Do You Know the Origins of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Iron Curtain – This phrase was coined after World War II by Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain to describe the rise of Russian influence over Eastern Europe. Churchill found the rigid censorship of the citizenry and the closing … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Great Britain, Uncategorized, word play | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Lovely World of the English Language: Do You Know the Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Regina Jeffers

Nodcock ~ From the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), this is one of many words meaning “fool or idiot” It dates back to the 1500’s. Synonyms include “noddypoop, noddypoll, and niddicock.” [I wish I had known this word when a gentleman told me I … Continue reading →

Posted in etymology | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments