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 […]
Country Bumpkins - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to call someone uncultured or unsophisticated? If so, you could call them a "country bumpkin." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "country bumpkins" means a person with no culture or sophistication. They have crude behavior and don't know how to conduct themselves […]
Close but No Cigar - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone that they just fell short of their target? If that's the case, you could use the saying, "close but no cigar." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this saying. Meaning The meaning of the expression "close but no cigar" refers to someone narrowly missing […]
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone to clean up their act and put more attention into their hygiene or general cleanliness? If so, you could use the proverbial expression, "cleanliness is next to Godliness," to get them to think about their behavior. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverb. […]
Brevity is the Soul of Wit - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone just crack a witty joke at work with a short, snappy punchline? If so, you could compliment them by saying, "brevity is the soul of wit." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning "Brevity is the wit of the soul" means that people that use short speech provide the […]