Are you searching for a term to describe a fact without official recognition or approval? If so, you could use “de facto.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this phrase. Meaning The “de facto” is a Latin word meaning “in reality” or “of fact.” It usually appears in contrast to the word “de […]
Calm Before the Storm – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to warn people of incoming danger or bad news? If that’s the case, you could tell them that they are in the calm before the storm, and they should expect bad things on the horizon. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning “The calm before […]
Brownie Points – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to give someone kudos or tell them that you owe them a favor? If so, you could use the expression “brownie points” to describe your approval of what they do for you. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “brownie points” means that […]
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone that beauty is subjective? If that’s the case, you could use the phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverbial saying. Meaning “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” means that everyone’s view of […]
How to Write the Date in MLA Format
Have you been asked to write a paper in MLA format, and are you scrambling to find out how you should format dates in MLA? Students and others who have not worked with a style manual before may find this challenging, as can those who frequently work with different style manuals such as APA and […]
Bankers Hours – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to describe a short workday? If so, you could say that you’re working “bankers hours.” This post unpacks the origin and meaning of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression “bankers hours” is short working hours. For instance, you start at 9 am and finish at 3 pm, […]
In Tandem – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to describe collaborating with someone on a project? If so, you could say that you are working “in tandem” with them. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “in tandem” means that you are doing something with someone else. For instance, when you […]
Goody Two Shoes – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to call someone out on their overly virtuous, smug behavior? If so, you could tell them to stop being such “goody two-shoes.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression “goody two-shoes” refers to an overly virtuous person. They are the […]
Double Dutch – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Is someone talking to you in a dialect you can’t make out? If so, you could tell them to slow down because it sounds like they are talking “double Dutch” to you. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “double Dutch” means someone is speaking to you, and you […]
Dead Ringer – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking at someone that looks identical to someone you know? If so, you could call them a “dead ringer.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “dead ringer” has two meanings. The word’s original meaning is to describe someone or something that is a direct lookalike to […]