Category: Phrases

Did your boss tell you you're 'behind the eight ball' on a project? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression 'behind the eight ball' means that you're in a challenging position that's difficult to escape. If you can't find a solution or there is no obvious way to solve […]

Are you looking at the most attractive woman in the room? You could call her the ‘Belle of the ball.’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘Belle of the ball’ means the most attractive woman in the room or at an event. The ‘Belle of the ball’ will […]

Have you heard the word "antebellum" used in connection with the southern United States, and are you wondering what it means? This posts takes a deeper look at the origins, meaning, and current controversy around the word antebellum. ​Meaning The English word antebellum comes from the Latin language. "Ante" means "before", and "bellum" means "war". […]

The term 'doors or wheels?' has sparked a whole discussion on social media websites like TikTok and Twitter, though it still has a lot of users confused as to what's being discussed in the first place. 'Doors or wheels?' is a simple internet riddle with a much harder solution. This post unpacks the origin and […]

Did your boss tell you your colleague went ‘AWOL’ and you have to work the weekend? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this acronym. Meaning The acronym ‘AWOL’ stands for ‘Absent Without Leave.’ It’s a military term describing a member of the armed forces who takes leave from their post without the proper […]

Have you seen the term 'material girl' somewhere on a social media website like TikTok or Instagram and hope to understand this common reference? The term 'material girl' is a mild insult, one that refers to girls and women who might be seen as “gold diggers” by others. This post unpacks the meaning and origin […]

Are you looking for bae? This term unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The word ‘bae’ is a term of endearment to your loved one, usually used by women when referring to their partner. The term isn’t gendered specific, but it's more common to hear women using it than men. The term […]

Have you seen the term 'story time' on social media websites and need some context behind this popular hashtag or comment? The term 'story time' is used to group stories by topic so that users can find this tag with ease. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this term. Meaning The term 'story […]

Did your boss ask you to get the ball rolling on a project? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression 'ball rolling' has several formats. You could 'get the ball rolling' or 'keep the ball rolling.' The ball refers to an activity, action, or conversation, and 'rolling' describes taking […]

Have you seen anyone with (or references to) white nails on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube? White nails are believed by some users to be part of a secret relationship code, while others don't buy into the hype. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of white-painted nails on social media. Meaning […]