Category: Phrases

"Abracadabra" is an almost universally understood set of syllables, no matter what your native language is. You'll know to expect it if someone is performing magic tricks. What does "abracadabra" actually mean, though? Join us on a fascinating journey to learn more. ​​​Meaning The syllables "abracadabra" serve as an incantation that is pronounced during magic […]

Did you enjoy a night out with friends? All in all, you could say it was a great experience. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression 'all in all' means that you've taken everything into account and made a judgment call on something, someone, or someplace. 'All in all' […]

Are you looking for a way to describe a useless person who seems to have a habit of showing up at exactly the wrong time? You could call that person a "bad penny". Learn more about this phrase and its origin here, and discover how to use it in a sentence. ​​​Meaning A "bad penny" […]

Are you on the fence about doing something fun? Maybe you have a conservative personality that keeps you at home more often than not? Some people like to "play it safe" while others take carefree approach. The phrase "You Only Live Once," or YOLO is often used by those who fall into the latter category […]

Have you ever had someone come back at you with a clever remark and not know how to respond? The French phrase touché is often used in English to acknowledge someone's clever point. But what does touché mean? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning Touché is a French word that […]

Did a friend text you ‘TTYL’ at the end of their message? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this acronym. Meaning The acronym ‘TTYL’ stands for ‘talk to you later.’ It’s a term used in social media communications and in text messaging. You’ll usually end your conversation with TTYL as a farewell to […]

Did someone tell you to stop acting like an ‘NPC?’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The acronym ‘NPC’ stands for ‘Non-Playable Character.’ An NPC is a video game character with no role in the game. NPCs may say lines to your character in the game, but it's always the […]

Have you ever attended a party that is hosted in the early part of the evening? Perhaps you want to throw a get-together that is not quite a dinner party, but also not a luncheon? If so, then chances are you attended or want to host a soiree. This post unpacks the meaning and origin […]

Did the mechanic tell you he replaced all the parts on your car with ‘OEM’ spares? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The acronym ‘OEM’ stands for ‘Original Equipment Manufacturer.’ An OEM provides genuine components for finished products from other companies. In the computer industry, an OEM refers to companies […]

Did your friend call you an ‘OG’ in a text message? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this acronym. Meaning The acronym ‘OG’ stands for ‘Original Gangster.’ It originated from hip-hop and gangsta rap, spreading throughout the community in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The term has several variations, including ‘real OG,’ […]