Reader Opinions
J – (the devil is beating his wife) August 20, 2021
Marylander here, my parents and grandparents on at least one side said this. I say it to people my age (26) and they have no idea what I’m talking about. Nice to finally find out where it all came from and that others know it as well!
Destiny Alfred – (Nouns) August 19, 2021
Guess, Abstract Noun was omitted. Abstract nouns are nouns that cannot be seen or touched. These nouns are conceptual(feelings, emotions, qualities, concepts, moments,etc). Examples of abstract nouns are fear, childhood, anger, joy, love, peace,etc.
Thanks a lot.
Shankar Saran – (turn turtle) August 17, 2021
The idiom ‘turn turtle’ may be used to indicate change in fortunes for the worse, e.g., Owing to its huge financial debts, the Kingfisher Airlines turned turtle and was closed down in December 2012.
Michelle, Teacher of young minds – (raining cats and dogs) August 15, 2021
I tend to go with either of the older meanings. 1) In the 1600/1700s common people typically lived in thatched roof cottages, which are water tight. They would have lofts and sleep up there which was usually the children. These type cottages usually has at least one large support beam. Heat rises, and dogs and cats would go up to the loft to stay warm. Cats especially would climb up on the beam to sleep. Dogs could have done that too or been on the edges of the loft is more probable. During heavy storms, it would be more humid causing condensation to form, thus causing them to fall. 2) (I don’t like this one because it is morbid and I don’t like telling it to my students.) When a storm would come and it was raining so hard, “gulley washer, ” as my family refers to it, it would flood. The flooding would carries dogs and cats away with the flood waters. (However, we know in modern day they are smart and are usually found hiding somewhere, even in trees, so I tend to believe the first tale.
Gideon – (castles in the air) August 14, 2021
There is a Hebrew idiom, tower in the air, from between 300 ad to 500 ad in the “Talmud” , it originated from philosophical debate about the laws governing such tower and become synonyms with dealing with impractical ideas and day dreams.
Louise – (put a sock in it) August 13, 2021
Last night a door was rattling and my husband “put a sock in it”, which was to hand, to stop it making the disturbing noise. We use this phrase quite often refer to disturbing noises.
Fred Quintanal – (tongue in cheek) August 13, 2021
Sanyay, I almost chocked on my Twinkie when I saw 1928 qlad you caught it.
Ben – (come across) August 13, 2021
Can Come Across be used follow by To Infinitive?
For Example: I came across to find a dove stuck in the gutter.
James Matthew Sanborn – (on the ball) August 11, 2021
Get on the ball came from Web ball watch company made watches for the railroad Someone that is on the ball is on time.
David Cousins – (charity begins at home) August 9, 2021
The “charity begins at home” mantra is usually regurgitated by closet racists who like to create the false impression that their mean-spiritedness is not directed at other nations but is full of good intent towards the vulnerable in their own country.
