| Name |
Views and Comments | Date |
| chris j |
With regard to passing the buck, I believe it refers to when poker players of old passed the deal they would also pass the buck knife. This was done in the event of the dealer being accused of foul play, an all to frequent occurrence, the buck knife was used as a deterrence for those that may challenge or falsely accuse the dealer of underhanded dealing. |
8/18/2009 |
| Claude |
Marilyn,
"Ride the River" is used by the Border Patrol, referring to someone you can trust in hard times while patrolling the Rio Grande. I'm not sure where it came from before that, but I suspent a variation has been around for quite some time. |
7/2/2009 |
| Claude |
#15. Flash in the pan; A shooting term referring to the priming pan of a flint lock musket. Sometimes the priming charge will flash without igniting the main charge. This term is still used in flintlock shooting sports.
#18. When the chips are down, it's the moment of truth. All bets are on the table and the chips are down. The hand is called and the players will see who wins and who loses. |
7/2/2009 |
| linda |
like this...it got down to business, stepped up to the plate, and shouldered the responsibility...lol...would love to see more like "got your back" and "put your hands together." |
3/21/2009 |
| barry |
origin of "red shirted" (before star trek) |
3/19/2009 |
| hugo martinez |
I found your expressiosn just impressive! Could u please help me with the expression I wind myself up? Does it mean I control myself? Thanx |
3/18/2009 |
| Kris |
17. Roll with the punches
Meaning - To brave through the hard times.
Origin - This is a boxing term - it means deflecting a direct hit.
WRONG! It comes from moving WITH the punches, not to deflect them. Ie, to try to move with circumstance when challenges come rather than against them. |
12/25/2008 |
| Mike k |
I truly enjoy your web site. Do you have an iPhone format version? |
12/25/2008 |
| Marla |
do you not have a search feature? Looking for origin of "it came to light". But while I'm at it, the Egg on your Face isn't just about egg showing up, it's about the obviousness of what you have been eating. thanks. |
7/31/2008 |
| Neil Robertson |
"When the chips are down" doesn't mean 'bleak times'. Rather, it describes the key moment, when a decision or resolution is imminent.
That implies to me that while the assertion that the chips referred to are gambling chips is right enough, the phrase refers to the moment when bets are placed, and the cards or roulette ball will soon decide who wins. |
6/5/2008 |
| jim |
No 18 is not correct. It is a gambling expression, but it means when there's a lot at stake, i.e., when you have a lot of chips "down" on the bet. It doesn't mean bleak times, it means times when you have a lot riding on the consequences of an action |
6/2/2008 |
| Colin Hunt |
Flash in the pan has it's origin in the days of Flintlock rifles. If the gunpowder had not been primed properly there would be a flash in the pan where the charge was placed and the shot wouldn't be expelled. There would be a bright flash which could look promising but failed to live up to it's promise. |
4/1/2008 |
| mmonsein |
do you have any information on the origins of the term "self defeating behaviors" thanks |
7/13/2007 |
| Marilyn |
How can I find out the origin of the phrase "you'll do to ride the river with". I know that it means you've proven to be trustworthy, but what does the "ride the river with" mean?
Thanks. |
4/10/2007 |
| Randy Vaughn |
Hello,
It originally was said sarcastically I think,I get a feeling it's like an agent or a Hollywood producer talking to an actor or whatever, like talking on the phone lets do lunch sometime.......Love Ya, Mean It......like that maybe.do you know the origin?...I think it was after 1980 when it started, but the specifics I wish I knew.
Thank You,
Randy Vaughn
Lakeside, California
|
11/22/2006 |
| david braly |
What's the origin of the phrase: Heebe Jeebe? |
9/19/2006 |
| observer |
I disagree with your definition of "ducks in a row." It comes from old arcade games at the carnival where you could shoot at ducks. You would have your ducks lined up in a row so you could shoot at them one by one succession. |
9/13/2006 |
| Dr.Z |
very good. Helped me a lot! |
9/1/2006 |
| Miranda |
....gayer than four o clock?
any idea where that came from? |
8/8/2006 |
| Jim McMahon |
#15 is DEAD WRONG...the phrase is much older, and has to do with a mis-firing flintlock fire arm. The weapon has a tree event ignition cycle: 1) flint on the hammer strikes the frizzen, and makes sparks 2) sparks fall on the priming power in the pan 3) flame from the pan ignites the main charge and discharges the projectile. When step 2 fails to cause step 3, the powder flashes, but doesn't discharge the main powder charge; hence, a "flash in the pan" |
5/11/2006 |
| Gnazio |
I like what you did with site. |
10/12/2005 |
| Lila |
Nice article. It's always exciting to know the origin of something ^_^ |
5/8/2005 |
