Do you know someone who just loves to stir up situations and conflict, and would like to know the right term to call them out? The expression 'stirring the pot' has been in common usage in English for centuries. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The common term 'stirring the […]
Face Card – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a word or term that describes someone with stunning beauty, great makeup or incredible and striking features? Maybe you should use the term 'face card' to let them know what you think about their selfie or snapshot. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The term 'face […]
J and HJ – Meaning, Origin and Usage
The terms 'J' and 'HJ' have become a commonplace sight in the social media age, sometimes appearing as a comment and other times as an appropriate tag that puts together topics of the same. Have you seen the term 'J' and 'HJ' somewhere and need to know what they mean? This post unpacks the meaning […]
Per Diem – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you reading through your employment contract? Do you know what the term ‘per diem’ means? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘per diem’ is a noun. It refers to an amount of money paid to your by an employer to cover your daily expenses when working on […]
Ours is not to Reason Why – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did a colleague say ‘ours is not to reason why’ after you asked them why management is making changes at work? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘ours is not to reason why’ is the shortened version of ‘ours is not to reason why. Ours is to do […]
Olive Branch – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Have you tried to make peace with someone you previously fought with? Maybe there is someone you don’t quite like that has been making efforts at being cordial. If so, the term extending an olive branch is an apt description for said behaviors. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning An […]
Naive – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Have you ever been called naive? If you have, chances are it wasn't meant as a compliment. When someone calls you naive, they usually suggest that you're too simple or gullible – that you don't understand how the world works. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning "Naive" is generally used […]
Saving Grace – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone just help you avoid making a terrible mistake? You could call them your 'saving grace.' This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression 'saving grace' refers to something or someone that saves or redeems you from a negative life experience. The phrase's original meaning has a religious reference, […]
Que Sera Sera – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone say ‘que sera sera’ after you made a minor mistake at work? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘que sera sera’ is a Spanish term. It means you shouldn’t worry about things out of your control. It’s a way of saying that our destiny is predetermined, […]
Prego – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to allude to someone’s swollen belly? Maybe you want to send a quick text about someone in your office being pregnant? Perhaps you just want to say you're welcome in Italian. If so, then the phrase prego is a fitting way to go about it. This post unpacks the […]