Reader Opinions
Franchesca Ford – (can’t hold a candle to) October 11, 2025
On another thread, it was referenced that the phrase initially came from the days of textile works when one would require an assistant to literally hold a candle to the fabric to inspect. As it goes, if the person were ill equipped to hold such candles one then sees the phrase come into play “He/She couldn’t even hold a candle.
Karen Arnold – (eager beaver) October 4, 2025
Work horse is anther reference I’ve heard used to describe an individual who may be somewhat similar to an eager beaver.
Zyanya Mahetzi Cabello Alcántara – (when pigs fly) September 29, 2025
It’s often used sarcastically to express disbelief in a promise or expectation that something will happen, as in the example: “Sure, he’ll clean his room when pigs fly.”
Being an idiom, it’s an informal expression used in everyday conversations rather than in formal contexts.
Shawnna Shaw – (dig one’s own grave) September 13, 2025
The phrase dig your own grave. If you were to watch The treasure of the Sierra Madre starring Humphrey Bogart back in the day when it was filmed the federales the Mexican federales at the end of the film make the Mexican terrorists, the murdering thieves that that befriended Humphrey Bogart in the end the federal is catch up to these bad guys and they force these three men to dig their own graves because they’re going to be executed right outside their graves that’s where that term originates it’s a probably a punishment a a punishment and execution that went on in Mexico originating in Mexico. When you got caught for being a horrible murdering character by the Mexican federales they make you dig your own grave and then they shoot you and you fall into that grave and then you’re buried!
To dig your own grave is that reference in The treasure of the Sierra Madre starring Humphrey Bogart is a black and white movie I’m not Sherman of is made probably late mid 30s late 30 probably mid late 1930s early 1940s, I have to look that up to find out exactly what year that movie was made. But most certainly the Mexican Federales who determined that these three different men all of whom were connected together had robbed and stolen from Humphrey Bogart essentially what killed him was his ruthless fight to try and stay alive I guess but they they burned him these three men burn them in the Federalists became involved at the hand of a very dear professor friend of Humphrey Bogart and his partner who were there in Mexico trying to find treasure and it’s a pretty good movie I haven’t seen the whole thing it’s on today which is why I bring this up.
The Mexican Federales at the end of this film Humphrey Bogart dies I believe and the professor that contacted the federales to begin with he I believe is there witnessing this these three men being forced with each a shovel in their hands having to dig a hole for their own Graves they were forced to dig their own holes and Graves and then you get the idea they’re going to be executed directly thereafter that’s what I seem to recall at the end of that movie so that’s where that came from that’s the practice at the federal days did on to others who were bad people I believe that’s where it came from “dig your own grave”!
Karlheinz Hartkopf – (raise the wind) August 30, 2025
To raise the wind means “Staub aufwirbeln” in Deutsch.
Mark Woods – (Dutch uncle) August 26, 2025
Have you heard of the Pennsylvania Dutch? This term actually refers to people of German descent who settled in Pennsylvania. The word “Deutsch” means German and “Deutschland” means Germany. So, it’s possible the word “Deutsch” was bent into “Dutch” when the English coined the term “Dutch uncle”. This said, people from the Netherlands (a.k.a., the Dutch) and people from Germany are both known for speaking candidly.
Ivan Law – (24/7 (twenty-four-seven)) August 10, 2025
Ivan Law said in His 1986 Demo song Drop The Beat:
“24/7 all Rappers stalking you haven’t had the rest till you tried the rest.”
Marilyn Crosbie – (like a chicken with its head cut off) July 31, 2025
I always heard running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Anonymous – (beyond the veil) July 28, 2025
The Grand Temple and Its Mysterious Curtain
Imagine a magnificent, ancient Temple, grand and awe-inspiring, built a very long time ago. Inside this sacred building was a very special, very thick curtain. It wasn’t just any curtain; it was called the veil, and it had a hugely important job. This veil separated two different parts of the Temple, acting like a giant, holy wall between people and what was considered the most sacred, direct presence of God. It was a powerful symbol, showing that there was a big distance between humans and the divine.
Behind the Sacred Veil: The Holiest Place
What was hidden behind this thick veil?
This was the Holy of Holies, known as the Most Holy Place. People believed this tiny room was the most sacred spot on Earth, the very place where God’s presence lived among His people. Inside, you’d find a special golden chest called the Ark of the Covenant. This Ark held incredibly important things, like the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. Above the Ark, between the golden statues of angel-like figures (called cherubim), was where God’s presence was said to truly dwell.
Only one person was ever allowed to enter this super holy room, and that was the High Priest. And even he could only go in once a year, on a very special day called the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices for everyone’s mistakes. This strict rule showed just how incredibly holy God was, and how human imperfections created a separation from Him.
What Was in Front of the Veil?
In front of the huge veil was another important section called the Holy Place. This part of the Temple was where the other priests worked every day. They would perform daily rituals, like burning special incense on an altar. While this area was also considered holy, it wasn’t as sacred as the Holy of Holies. It was more like a bridge between the outside world and God’s inner presence. Most ordinary people stayed even further back, in the outer parts of the Temple. So, you can see how the veil physically and symbolically stopped everyone, even most priests, from getting close to God’s immediate presence.
The Moment the Veil Tore
Then, something incredible and truly profound happened. At a specific, pivotal moment in history, as ancient writings tell us, the magnificent veil in the Temple was torn in two. It didn’t rip from the bottom up by human hands; it ripped straight down from the very top to the very bottom, as if by an unseen, mighty force. This wasn’t destruction; it was a miraculous act from the divine, carrying immense symbolic meaning.
The Idioms – (face to face) July 25, 2025
@Anonymous
“Face to face” in Exodus 33:11 signifies God’s direct, intimate, and unparalleled communication with Moses, like a friend speaking to a friend, emphasizing clear revelation and Moses’ unique relationship with God, rather than a literal physical sighting of God’s face.
