Reader Opinions
Tomt – (every nook and cranny) February 19, 2023
There were four American golfers in a Scottish Cab going from St. Andrews to a little fishing village, Anstruther, about 15 miles away. While chatting, the Cabbie said that the Fife coastline was so worn and jagged that it was defined as ,” As every nook and cranny”… both words with scottish (Celtic) roots???
David – (take with a grain of salt) February 18, 2023
To Rex Mundi (King of the World): it’s Horse Pucky, not Horse Hockey, if horse sh** is what you mean to convey.
I prefer “Horse Feathers” to express cautious distrust!
Anonymous – (stiff upper lip) February 18, 2023
He has been taught to keep a stiff upper lip whatever happens.
Taunya J Brandon – (a piece of cake) February 11, 2023
I have a hard time believing that the source of this idiom is as described. Being the best at something isnt easy. Unless it was used sarcastically and/or as a bragging point, as in “I’m so good, I can just walk in there and take that cake without breaking a sweat. ”
However, amongst our mothers of old, one could whip up a simple cake easily with the ingredients on hand. Same with pie, an experienced cook could throw that together with ease.
Even with this possible source, it is more braggdiccio:
“Are your sure you can do this, it looks really difficult?” asks the doubtful one.
“No problem, my friend! It’s as easy as baking a cake.” says the smugly confident one.
“But making a cake isnt easy, there are so many steps.”
“Not for me!”
Fiona Mackenzie – (forty winks) February 9, 2023
I believed the origin of the phrase was a children’s programme on television in the 1970’s where a character called Orinoco used to say, “I think I’ll have 40 winks” and lie down for a nap. I’ve read the origin section here for forty winks, and it turns out I’m wrong about the wombles! It is very interesting that the expression is so old.
Joe Sands – (forty winks) February 6, 2023
If a wink, is like the wink of an eye, then 40 winks would be worthless for rest.
Danny Ramer – (straighten up and fly right) January 28, 2023
I think it may be an archery term. An arrow that is not straight will not hit its mark. For an arrow to fly accurately to its mark, it must straighten up, and then consequently, it would fly right.
Pete Thomason – (cut corners) January 27, 2023
My career was in the construction world so, whenever I came across shoddy or poorly done work it was referred to as someone’s having “cut corners.” There was no direct correlation of the idiom with a specifc practice in any of the trades like, for example, using a lower grade of lumber than specified or not using enough nails. But the meaning was well-understood. Thanks for explaing the origin!
Allen Tomas – (high on the hog) January 22, 2023
“High on the hog” is as you say. But it’s a temporary level that is bound to fall. (Yes, you didn’t care about nobody while you were living High on the Hog!)
You didn’t care about sharing; you didn’t return any phone calls while you were living high on the hog!
Mya – (walk on eggshell) January 22, 2023
But it makes no sense. The original statement was “walking on eggs,” because you could not get your footing in a room filled with eggs on the floor—NO FOOTING. You just rolled around. Logic says that “walking on eggshells” would give you very good footing and do nothing but make a crunching sound.
