Home
Wiki Answers > Categories > Literature and Language > English Language > Literary Devices and Figures of Speech > Idioms and Slang Questions
Idioms and Slang
Includes questions related to distinct vocabularies used by a group of people such as physicians use medical terminology; also includes words, terms and phrases that are deemed inappropriate for a formal setting.
Total questions 10600
What are the most common slang words used in basketball and what do they mean?
The most common would probably be jayed (made a mid-range shot over someone), and one (a foul and a made basket), and banked in...
Popularity: 295 • Tools: Recategorize
Is the saying 'all intents and purposes' or 'all intense purposes'?
Intents and Purposes The correct phrase is "to all intents and purposes." This phrase dates back to the 1500s and originated in...
Popularity: 160 • Tools: Recategorize
What does it mean to be Rickrolled?
A rickroll is a prank played on an unsuspecting web surfer. To be rickrolled is when browsing a website (especially a discussion...
Popularity: 151 • Tools: Recategorize
What are 'fadsticks'?
Fadsticks Either I've heard the term used once before or I just came up with this meaning on my own, but "fadsticks" could mean...
Popularity: 121 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase 'she is trying to get your goat' come from and what does it mean?
I believe the expression �to get your goat� has it�s origins in horse racing. Race horses are very high-strung animals....
Popularity: 93 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a surf punk?
My best definition of surf punk is punk with influences from the surfing scene. That may sound a bit ambiguous, but consider The...
Popularity: 87 • Tools: Recategorize
What is meaning of the phrase 'b' juses'?
It is a corruption of "By Jesus," and is a mild epithet used to express disbelief or amazement. I believe " Jesus ! " without...
Popularity: 73 • Tools: Recategorize
What are Wellies?
Slang for rubber boots, apparently once favoured by the Duke of Wellington. Also slang for a very fine beer made by the...
Popularity: 66 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a pet peeve?
It's your favourite minor complaint. Answer It's when someone, or somethings, actions really irritate you and you just...
Popularity: 65 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin and history of 'An eye for an eye - A tooth for a tooth'?
This is found in the Holy Bible. life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand Exodus 21:23, 24 The law of "an eye...
Popularity: 62 • Tools: Recategorize
How do you fit a square peg into a round hole?
make sure the hole is bigger than the peg
Popularity: 61 • Tools: Recategorize
Who coined the term elephant in the room?
The expression is American in origin, though it has become extremely common in the UK since 2004. In the article you mention,...
Popularity: 56 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'beauty is more than skin deep' mean?
Beauty is more than skin deep means a person can be beautiful inside and out. Their personality can shine through and be just as...
Popularity: 55 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase 'cute as a button' come from?
Cute as a button comes from a mideival phrase "break a leg" <3333 4lol
Popularity: 55 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the term horse play is fools play originate from?
That exact term doesn't seem to be defined anywhere, but "horse play" probably originated from the way young horses frolic and...
Popularity: 54 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of 'It sucks'?
It sucks is often used interjectionally in a bad situation. If a rock fell on your toe, you'd scream, "THAT SUCKS!" Or if you...
Popularity: 54 • Tools: Recategorize
What is meant by the saying 'Your smile is your umbrella on a rainy day'?
It means that the bad conditions only bother you when you let them. Your smile, a positive attitude or being happy, protects...
Popularity: 53 • Tools: Recategorize
What are the parties called where popular kids invite unpopular and unattractive people?
Pig parties.
Popularity: 53 • Tools: Recategorize
What does the expression 'lame duck' mean?
It is more a condition than it is an expression. The term lame duck refers to somebody weak. For example, when an elected...
Popularity: 53 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a basket case?
Someone who is in a hopeless mental condition. Generally means someone that is mentally deficient but on a lighter humorous...
Popularity: 53 • Tools: Recategorize
What does it mean for a person to be 'thick'?
To say that someone is thick means that the person is stubborn and rather stupid, unwilling to learn from...
Popularity: 52 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'dire straits' mean?
It means you are in a very dangerous or precarious position. When you are threading your way through troubles as if you were...
Popularity: 52 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the expression 'the bee's knees' originate?
Bees Knees Some will say that the expression means something small and insignifigant. You'll have to agree, the knee of a bee...
Popularity: 51 • Tools: Recategorize
What does quief mean?
Queef- Urban Slang Quief, qweef, queef is an urban slang term for a vaginal fart.
Popularity: 51 • Tools: Recategorize
People usually have some words often used in their language eg okie dokie - What are such words called -commonly used words by a person- in his speech?
it is slang and is a cool way of talking Such end-rhyme pairs, words and expressions are called anaphora. When travelling in a...
Popularity: 51 • Tools: Recategorize
What can be a slogan on literacy?
If you can read this, thank a teacher. Sharing Knowledge Enriches Us Literacy,key To Good Health & well-Being
Popularity: 50 • Tools: Recategorize
What are 1970s slang words?
1970s Slang Words my favorite would be cream, as in: cream in my jeans but there are lots more. another is bitchen which...
Popularity: 49 • Tools: Recategorize
What does the phrase 'aw c'mon' mean?
Its slang for come on. Sentence: "Come on, lets go to the mall!" More Answers: In saying, "Aw, come on," this means that...
Popularity: 49 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a practical idiom?
idioms I'm not sure what a practical idiom is, but I know that an idiom is a phrase that is not meant literally. Example: "its...
Popularity: 49 • Tools: Recategorize
What does the phrase 'Monday morning quarterbacking' mean?
Analyzing your mistakes the day after you've made them, generally assumed to come from the act of complaining about quarterback...
Popularity: 48 • Tools: Recategorize
What does the phrase 'flipping the bozo bit' mean?
Flipping the bozo bit means you know someone is reliably wrong. The person has been permanently switched off in your mind as...
Popularity: 47 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'desperate times call for desperate measures' mean?
It means when people get into trouble, for example financial troubles. These situations may back them into a corner forcing them...
Popularity: 47 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the slang word used to indicate mistake?
American slang for mistake Goof: American slang for "mistake"; "I goofed.", "Don't goof it up." Also means tomfoolery, wasting...
Popularity: 47 • Tools: Recategorize
How did the expression 'In like Flynn' come about?
In like Flynn Dates back to 1945, refering to how easily movie star Errol Flynn could get women into bed with him. See related...
Popularity: 47 • Tools: Recategorize
What does Throw a sheep mean?
It's an action found in the application SuperPoke on Facebook. My friends knows the creator (Nikil) and apparently he added it as...
Popularity: 47 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of the saying as hard as the hobbs of hell?
"Hard as the hobbs of hell." This alliterative phrase uses an abbreviation of 'hobbs' for 'hobbles' which are irons or fetters.
Popularity: 47 • Tools: Recategorize
How did sayings that had nothing to do with the meaning like 'head over heels in love' come to be?
u are truly inlove
Popularity: 46 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase 'paint the town red' originate?
the phrase 'paint the town red' comes from the early 1900's. A few vandels painted a block of the town red for fun. Thus,...
Popularity: 46 • Tools: Recategorize
What is crab mentality?
Crab Mentality Crab Mentality describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase...."if i can't have it, neither can...
Popularity: 46 • Tools: Recategorize
What does lil' mean as slang?
It means "little."
Popularity: 45 • Tools: Recategorize
What is Old English for hedgehog?
Porcupine! please see: http://home.comcast.net/~modean52/oeme_dictionaries.htm The O.E for hedgehog is , simply: ' igl '
Popularity: 45 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of the phrase of comme ci comme ca?
It's French. "Comme çi, comme ça" literally, 'like this, like that' , or 'so-so'
Popularity: 45 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'the seven year itch' mean?
It refers the supposed phenomenon where after 7 years of marriage, one's eye begins to wander. It is also the name of a Marilyn...
Popularity: 45 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a dofus?
dofus (not to be confused with doofus) is an MMORPG or a massive multiplayer online role playing game. its the awesomest game...
Popularity: 44 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the saying that says 'if you don't ------ then I won't pee in your pool'?
It goes... "I don't swim in your toilet so please don't pee in my pool". I once saw a sign that said " Welcome To Our Ool......
Popularity: 44 • Tools: Recategorize
What does the idiom Popped his cork mean?
It's kind of like "blew his top", which means that he/someone had an outburst of anger.
Popularity: 44 • Tools: Recategorize
How did the terms Jane Doe and John Doe originate?
It's pretty simple, at the time; Jane was the most common female name, John the most common male name, Doe the most common...
Popularity: 44 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'Whats up' mean?
nothing and u.. 'Up' is a two letter word suggesting a direction above an individual's point of perception,especially from below...
Popularity: 43 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the expression 'crossing Jordan' originate?
Crossing Jordan: It's origin & meaning The term crossing Jordan (often used in reference to death) originates from the Old...
Popularity: 43 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a Dwag?
Urban Dictionary - not a reliable source - says that a "dwag" is a friend or a group of friends. The only other hits I can find...
Popularity: 43 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the term 'its all good'?
1) Probably a translation / adpatation of the French sentence expression "tout va bien". 2) Since the phrase is in general not...
Popularity: 43 • Tools: Recategorize
Since people say someone tanned is 'as brown as a berry' which berries are brown?
'Brown as a Berry' The phrase seems to have originated in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales", The Cooks Tale, line 44: There...
Popularity: 42 • Tools: Recategorize
What does okey dokey mean?
ok ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANSWER: It...
Popularity: 42 • Tools: Recategorize
How much time is in a jiffy?
Believe it or not but it is 1/100 second Answer Just a little longer than a flash. It's one of those terms that is not...
Popularity: 41 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of the idiom 'by the look of things'?
by the look of things It is an introduction to your first impression of something.
Popularity: 41 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of 'up the ante'?
The ante is the enforced bet that poker players must put into the pot before they can play a hand of poker. If you "up the ante,"...
Popularity: 41 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of mud pie?
The Ultimate Answer To This Question It is really simple, the meaning of mud pie is to, (multiple answers) A. gross out your...
Popularity: 41 • Tools: Recategorize
Why do you say 'God bless you' and not 'God blesses you'?
This is what is called a hortatory subjunctive, used in wishes and third person imperatives. God blesses you is a simple...
Popularity: 41 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the expression 'It ain't over til' the fat lady sings' originate?
Until the Fat Lady Sings... Opera, or at least the low-brow interpretation of what's going on in opera. More Information:...
Popularity: 40 • Tools: Recategorize
What is meant by 'to wrap up'?
To finish.
Popularity: 40 • Tools: Recategorize
Where does the expression OK come from and what do the letters stand for?
OK comes from Greek "Olla Kalla" which means "all good".
Popularity: 40 • Tools: Recategorize
What does to drive a stake into the heart of mean?
Vell, it comes frum ze story of ze Vampires....! Legend has it that a vampire can only be killed by driving a stake through...
Popularity: 39 • Tools: Recategorize
Where did the phrase out of order come from?
The phrase "out of Order" came from Parliamentary procedures adopted in England to provide a sense of order to meetings of the...
Popularity: 39 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a boner?
It is the nickname of an erect penis.
Popularity: 38 • Tools: Recategorize
Is fugazy an english word?
An Italian-American slang term for something that is not authentic. It was made famous by the movie Donnie Brasco. In reference...
Popularity: 38 • Tools: Recategorize
What is an example sentence for forearmed is forewarned?
You have it backwards. It's "forewarned is forearmed". That means that if you have advance warning of a bad situation, you can...
Popularity: 38 • Tools: Recategorize
What's the meaning of I had my house painted?
I asked somebody to paint my house and he did
Popularity: 38 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'beauty is only skin deep' mean?
The phrase refers to the outward beauty of a person. Of course, we must realise that a person can be beautiful on the inside....
Popularity: 36 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'Hillary Factor' mean - is it a phenomenon?
i don't know! uh uh uh ........
Popularity: 36 • Tools: Recategorize
What figure of speech beauty and brains?
This is an example of "alliteration". It is the fact that they both begin with 'b' that makes it so. This may be pushing it, but...
Popularity: 33 • Tools: Recategorize
'I was looking at the stars through the windows and wondering if you ought to knock off and hit the sack or keep on listening to Cameron curse real steady.' What does it mean by 'curse real steady'?
Referring to the lyrics, 'curse real steady', the artist is describing the flow of another fellow rapper which contains vulgar...
Popularity: 29 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a 'hard leg'?
Hard Leg US Army slang for a man, in reference to his member. Often used plurally to denote a sausage fest. "Ain't...
Popularity: 28 • Tools: Recategorize
Who said 'Desperate times call for drastic measures'?
It may be so old a saying that you won't be able to find an original attribution. To go a bit older than 1964: according to...
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
Why is a diaper called a nappy?
In the UK we would look at it the other way round and ask 'Why is a nappy called a diaper in some parts of the world?'. Nappy is...
Popularity: 27 • Tools: Recategorize
Why the expression Land of Goshen?
A Place of Peace Putting in context that we are in a community of people that believe in God and God is very "real," a God of...
Popularity: 26 • Tools: Recategorize
What is russian roulette?
Russian roulette is a life and death game that involves traditionally two players, a revolver, and one bullet. The bullet is...
Popularity: 25 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a prison wallet?
A prison wallet is a prisoner's colon. The anal cavity of an inmate, so named for its ability to smuggle valuables into a prison...
Popularity: 25 • Tools: Recategorize
Do you sock like when you throw?
I guess you're asking about the idiom to "sock someone," which means to punch someone hard.
Popularity: 25 • Tools: Recategorize
What is MOJO?
it is a Clint It is energy/drive. In the movie Austin Powers, Mike Meyers could not function when his character "lost his...
Popularity: 25 • Tools: Recategorize
Does 'rush hour' mean peak hour?
No. Peak hour means rush hour. We Brits got in first, there was no need to change a perfectly good phrase.
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the origin of the term hand over fist?
Most likely a naval term, the hauling of a rope is done "hand over fist". Originally indicated slow steady progress, as in...
Popularity: 24 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a 'neener'?
Meaning of 'Neener' Neener Neener is an expression that most Americans aged 40 or under are probably familiar with....
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a douche bag?
A douche bag is used as an aid for feminine hygiene purposes. It is usually filled with warm water and some cleansing solution. ...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a spooner?
It's a derogatory term for a Negro ---- Among the people that I work with in Brisbane, Australia, "Spooner" is a derogatory...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What does that old chestnut mean?
A stale joke, story, or saying, as in Dad keeps on telling that old chestnut about how many psychiatrists it takes to change a...
Popularity: 23 • Tools: Recategorize
What is an example of a 'bandwagon'?
Example: You see on tv that everyone is buying mustangs. Its the new thing, like a trend. So you "jump on the bandwagon" like...
Popularity: 22 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a lush?
A female who enjoys getting drunk. Answer Someone who drinks alcohol frequently
Popularity: 22 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'beyond the pale' mean?
It basically means outside of polite society... there is an excellent article about the phrase at this site:...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What does 'taking your lumps' mean?
Taking Your Lumps Taking your lumps means learning, or gaining experience by suffering through a defeat, setback or reversal....
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a 'bodega'?
Bodega In Spain its a Warehouses specifically for wine In New York City its a Corner Store and in Poland its a Brothel ...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
How did the expression 'apple of my eye' come about?
Apple of one's eyes THE “APPLE OF ONE’S EYES” STUDY ON THE FORMING PROCESS OF CONNOTATIVE MEANING ...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of being on an edge?
Do you mean "being on edge"? It means being nervous, jittery, uncomfortable. "He's been on edge ever since his mortgage rate...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What is a hoochie mama?
a fish who poops a lot Answer In more derogatory terms, a hooker, slut, ho, trick, escort etc... In some cases it could mean a...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What does it mean to 'hate your guts'?
"Hate your guts" is an American idiom meaning "totally abhor." You don't just despise them, you hate their guts.
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What do they mean by 'hey dude'?
"Hey dude" means "what's up" or "hello friend" (to be more precise). It's just something some people say to their friends or when...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What does slang mean?
Slang is a shortened version of the real word or a made up word meaning the same thing, so 'ty' is slang for thank you. Or...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
Why does misery love company?
For the same reason that "lonely women make good lovers."
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What is the meaning of shoot for the moon?
in the game of hearts, it refers to taking all the tricks. Answer Aim high. It means set great goals for yourself, and try your...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
Which idiom is correct - allows for or allows to?
"Allow for" and "allow to" have different meanings. "The new budget allows for unexpected expenses." Here, "allows for" means...
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
What does poon tang mean?
poon tang means putting your dick in a pussy and cumming
Popularity: 21 • Tools: Recategorize
