Did your friend tell you to invest your money in ‘safe haven’ assets during the recession? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘safe haven’ means a location acting as a refuge where people can go to avoid persecution or trouble. It also describes an immigration term defining a […]
Scarlet Letter – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone tell you their girlfriend deserves the Scarlet Letter? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘the Scarlet Letter’ comes from an old story of a woman ostracized by her community for committing adultery and bearing a child from the relationship. She was forced to wear the scarlet […]
Sheeesh – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you watching a TikTok of someone saying ‘sheesh!’ while pointing to their inner elbow? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression and viral trend. Meaning The expression ‘sheeesh’ has two meanings. The first is a reactionary statement to something you find surprising, disgusting, or awesome. If you use ‘sheesh,’ it’s similar […]
Ragnarok – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did a friend invite you over to play ‘Ragnarok?’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘Ragnarok’ comes from old Norse Mythology. The official spelling is ‘Ragnarök (/ˈræɡnəˌrɒk, ˈrɑːɡ-/) or ‘Ragnarǫk.’ However, the English spelling doesn’t require using the accents in the ‘o.’ In Norse Mythology, Ragnarok is described […]
Jive Turkey – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone call you a ‘jive turkey’ after you made an unbelievable claim? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘jive turkey’ means someone overexaggerates things or makes outlandish claims they can’t prove. The jive turkey emulates this behavior in an attempt to gain attention. Typically, jive turkey is […]
Patience is a Virtue – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you feeling frustrated with waiting for something in your life? Remember, ‘patience is a virtue.’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverbial expression. Meaning The proverbial expression ‘patience is a virtue’ means that patience is a skill worth learning and a valuable tool in life. It refers to the fact that […]
Muah – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did your girlfriend just finish a message to you with ‘muah?’ What does it mean? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘muah’ refers to the sound women make when smacking their lips together to blow a kiss. Think of the sound when exaggerating a kiss, and you get […]
Ce la Vie – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did your friend exclaim ‘ce la vie’ after you gave him some bad news? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘ce la vie’ is an incorrect spelling of the term ‘c’est la vie.’ Both terms mean the same thing, translating to ‘that’s life’ in English. The English lexicon […]
GNC – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone tell you they identify as GNC? What do they mean, and how should you address them? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The acronym ‘GNC’ stands for ‘Gender Non-Conforming.‘ It can also refer to someone that identifies as gender variant, genderqueer, or gender creative. Essentially, if someone identifies […]
Faff – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you waiting for someone while they ‘faff’ around? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘faff’ is British slang, meaning to complete tasks that appear to be a waste of time. It’s similar to procrastinating, but procrastinators don’t do anything. A person who ‘faffs’ usually completes useless tasks, […]