Category: Phrases

Are you talking with someone that emphasizes your situation? You could call them an 'empath.' This post describes the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression 'empath' means someone consciously aware of other people's mental and emotional states. The word is similar to the term 'telepath.' However, an 'empath' connects to the person's […]

Are you watching a gymnast make a horrible landing at the Olympic games? They could be dealing with a case of the 'twisties,' affecting their performance on the mat. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression 'twisties' refers to a gymnast's loss of coordination and balance, resulting in changes […]

Did someone just tell you to ‘stand back and stand by?” What do they mean? Do they want you to go home? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘stand back and stand by’ comes from a speech by Donald Trump.  In the context of Donald Trump's speech, ‘stand […]

Are you wondering about the meaning and origin of the 'seiso' meme and video trend? What does it stand for, and where did it come from? Meaning The expression 'seiso' (清掃) translates from Japanese to "wholesome" or "clean." It's also associated with Anime characters, usually girls, that display innocent and pure qualities in their nature. […]

Are you hoping to inspire someone by telling them that it's possible to build something great from the ground up, starting with very little? You could use the phrase "Sic Parvis Magna", an old Latin saying that has recently become popular again. We unpack its meaning and origin here. Meaning Sic Parvis Magna is a […]

Are you wondering what the government can do to stop school shootings? Most parent shudder at the thought of their kids being ‘unalived at school.’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘unalived at school’ refers to children dying at the hands of a gunman in a school shooting. […]

If you'd like to employ hyperbole or irony as you reply to someone who says they had a bad day, or something went very wrong for them, you could say "To Shreds, You Say?" — but typically only if you know that the person you are talking to understands the context. Did someone give you […]

Have you heard someone say that "there's a snake in my boot"? You're in for an exciting ride — the meaning of this phrase can, depending on the context, range from incredibly wholesome to... much less so. Join us for a deeper exploration of the meaning and origins of this saying to decide whether you're […]

Did you get a message from your partner telling you they think you are their soul tie? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘soul ties’ means that you’re spiritually and emotionally bound to your partner. It means that you can’t be without them and you feel lost without […]

Did someone just give you a ‘soda tab’ with the center intact? What are they doing, and what does it mean? This post unpacks everything you need to know about this viral TikTok trend. Meaning The soda tab trend on TikTok has several meanings, based on the configuration of the tab on presentation to the […]