History of Everyday Sayings
In each episode you discover the surprising history of how sayings we use today came to be long ago. This show is for you if you are a logophile - meaning of course lover of words - a writer, speaker, philomath, or someone who simply loves history tidbits you can use to amaze and impress friends and family.
Episodes
June 16, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the saying, "Dead Ringer". You also learn the false persistent myth - spread on Facebook - as to the origin of the phrase.
Word of the day: Rubicon. Definition and history shared in episode.
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Sources:
"Phrase origins linked to burials is dead wrong" by David Williams. AAP FactCheck. Link: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/phrase-origins-linked-to-burials-is-dead-wrong/
"A Dea...
Word of the day: Rubicon. Definition and history shared in episode.
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Sources:
"Phrase origins linked to burials is dead wrong" by David Williams. AAP FactCheck. Link: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/phrase-origins-linked-to-burials-is-dead-wrong/
"A Dea...
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May 7, 2025 • 10 mins
In this episode you discover the meaning and reported potential origins of the saying, "Get Your Ducks in a Row". You also discover this episode's "Word of the Day", Magnanimous.
Sources:
"Why Do We Say “Get Your Ducks in a Row”?". WordSmarts.com. Link: https://wordsmarts.com/ducks-in-a-row/
"Museum Minute: The surprising origin of the phrase, ‘get your ducks in a row'". WyomingPublicMedia.org. Link: https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org...
Sources:
"Why Do We Say “Get Your Ducks in a Row”?". WordSmarts.com. Link: https://wordsmarts.com/ducks-in-a-row/
"Museum Minute: The surprising origin of the phrase, ‘get your ducks in a row'". WyomingPublicMedia.org. Link: https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org...
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April 1, 2025 • 9 mins
In this episode you discover the origin and true meaning of the sayings, "Spill the Beans" and "Spill the Tea".
References for more information:
"Where Does the Phrase 'Spilling the Beans' Come From?". "Readers Digest. Link: "https://www.rd.com/article/spill-the-beans-meaning/
"Spill the Beans | Meaning, Origin & Examples". Quillbot.com. Link: https://quillbot.com/blog/idioms/spill-the-beans/
“Spill the Tea” – Meaning & Origi...
References for more information:
"Where Does the Phrase 'Spilling the Beans' Come From?". "Readers Digest. Link: "https://www.rd.com/article/spill-the-beans-meaning/
"Spill the Beans | Meaning, Origin & Examples". Quillbot.com. Link: https://quillbot.com/blog/idioms/spill-the-beans/
“Spill the Tea” – Meaning & Origi...
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March 6, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, you discover the origin and true meaning of the phrase, "Take it with a grain of salt".
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Resources:
"Take It With a Grain of Salt | Meaning & Examples". Quilbot.com. Link: https://quillbot.com/blog/idioms/take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt/
"Where Did the Phrase “Take It with a Grain of Salt” Come From?". Reader's Digest. Link: https://www.rd.com/article/take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt/
"The Ancient Origins Behind The Phr...
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Resources:
"Take It With a Grain of Salt | Meaning & Examples". Quilbot.com. Link: https://quillbot.com/blog/idioms/take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt/
"Where Did the Phrase “Take It with a Grain of Salt” Come From?". Reader's Digest. Link: https://www.rd.com/article/take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt/
"The Ancient Origins Behind The Phr...
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February 11, 2025 • 10 mins
As youngsters interact, sooner or later one young person will challenge another to do something dangerous, stupid, or pointless. Phrases like, "I dare you", "I double dare you", and - when those words don't get the desired effect - the challenge will be elevated to, "I double dog dare you!". In this episode you discover how old this challenge is and how it came to be.
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Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com ...
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Host:
Stephen Carter - Website: https://StressReliefRadio.com ...
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January 8, 2025 • 9 mins
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "The fly in the ointment".
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References:
"A fly in the ointmen". "Grammarphobia". Link: https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2021/04/fly-in-the-ointment.html
"A fly in the ointment". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fly-in-the-ointment.html
"Weather Words: Fly In The Ointment". "Weather Underground". Link: https://www.wunderground.com/artic...
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References:
"A fly in the ointmen". "Grammarphobia". Link: https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2021/04/fly-in-the-ointment.html
"A fly in the ointment". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fly-in-the-ointment.html
"Weather Words: Fly In The Ointment". "Weather Underground". Link: https://www.wunderground.com/artic...
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November 25, 2024 • 11 mins
In this episode you'll discover the meaning and origin of the phrase, "Bury the Hatchet".
Sources:
"'Stand your butt up': Fistfight nearly breaks out during Senate hearing until Bernie Sanders steps in". NBC News. Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/stand-butt-fistfight-nearly-breaks-senate-hearing-bernie-sanders-steps-rcna125140
"Hatchet". Wikipedia.org. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatchet#:~:text=A%20hatchet%20(f...
Sources:
"'Stand your butt up': Fistfight nearly breaks out during Senate hearing until Bernie Sanders steps in". NBC News. Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/stand-butt-fistfight-nearly-breaks-senate-hearing-bernie-sanders-steps-rcna125140
"Hatchet". Wikipedia.org. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatchet#:~:text=A%20hatchet%20(f...
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October 21, 2024 • 23 mins
Merriam-Webster dictionary added 200 words and phrases in 2024. Other dictionaries added even more.
In this episode you and I explore some of the new most interesting and unusual words, phases, and slang that have found there way into dictionaries and daily use.
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Sources cited in this episode:
"Origin and Real Meaning for 'Good Enough for Government Work'". Podcast epiisode from "History of Everyday Sayings". Link: https://podcasts...
In this episode you and I explore some of the new most interesting and unusual words, phases, and slang that have found there way into dictionaries and daily use.
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Sources cited in this episode:
"Origin and Real Meaning for 'Good Enough for Government Work'". Podcast epiisode from "History of Everyday Sayings". Link: https://podcasts...
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October 1, 2024 • 11 mins
In this episode you discover the original meaning, the current meaning, and origin of the phrase, "Fish or Cut Bait".
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Sources - citations:
Author Candace Osmond; from "GRAMMARIST". "Fish or Cut Bait – Meaning, Synonym and Origin". Link: https://grammarist.com/idiom/fish-or-cut-bait/
"Fish or cut bait". "Dictionary.com". Link: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fish-or-cut-bait
"Fish or cut bait". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.ph...
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Sources - citations:
Author Candace Osmond; from "GRAMMARIST". "Fish or Cut Bait – Meaning, Synonym and Origin". Link: https://grammarist.com/idiom/fish-or-cut-bait/
"Fish or cut bait". "Dictionary.com". Link: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fish-or-cut-bait
"Fish or cut bait". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.ph...
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August 21, 2024 • 11 mins
In this episode you and I investigate the origin and meaning of "Leave no stone unturned". You'll discover it's how it's history extends back more than 2,000 years and when it found it's way into English.
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Sources:
"Leave no stone unturned". Dictionary.com. Link: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/leave--no--stone--unturned#
"Leave No Stone Unturned". "TheIdioms.com". Link: https://www.theidioms.com/leave-no-stone-unturned/#google_vi...
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Sources:
"Leave no stone unturned". Dictionary.com. Link: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/leave--no--stone--unturned#
"Leave No Stone Unturned". "TheIdioms.com". Link: https://www.theidioms.com/leave-no-stone-unturned/#google_vi...
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July 22, 2024 • 10 mins
In this episode you discover the defination and origin history of the saying, "By Hook or by Crook". We also look at the historical use of "Crook" and "Crooked".
Sources:
"What's the meaning of the phrase 'By hook or by crook'?". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-hook-or-by-crook.html
"Definition of 'crook'". "Collins Dictionary". Link: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/crook
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Host:
St...
Sources:
"What's the meaning of the phrase 'By hook or by crook'?". "Phrase Finder". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-hook-or-by-crook.html
"Definition of 'crook'". "Collins Dictionary". Link: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/crook
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Host:
St...
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June 7, 2024 • 12 mins
In this episode you discover the meaning and origin of this centuries old phrase, "If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride". You'll also learn other surprising related sayings.
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Sources:
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride". Phrase Finder. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/if-wishes-were-horses-beggers-would-ride.html
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES, BEGGARS WOULD RIDE". "The Idioms". Link: https://www.theidioms.com/if-wis...
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Sources:
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride". Phrase Finder. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/if-wishes-were-horses-beggers-would-ride.html
"IF WISHES WERE HORSES, BEGGARS WOULD RIDE". "The Idioms". Link: https://www.theidioms.com/if-wis...
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May 6, 2024 • 8 mins
In this episode you and I explore the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "Hit the Nail on the Head". We also look at two other phrases related to hammers and nails.
References:
Meaning of "Hit the Nail on the Head" from Ginger Software. Link: https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/hit-the-nail-on-the-head#
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Hit the nail on the head". Phrase Finder. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/...
References:
Meaning of "Hit the Nail on the Head" from Ginger Software. Link: https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/hit-the-nail-on-the-head#
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Hit the nail on the head". Phrase Finder. Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/...
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March 26, 2024 • 11 mins
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "The devil is in the details".
Citations / sources:
"What Does The Devil Is in the Details Mean? (Dissecting This Idiom)". "wikiHow". Link: https://www.wikihow.com/The-Devil-Is-in-the-Details#
"The Phrase Finder". "The meaning and origin of the expression: The devil is in the details". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-devil-is-in-the-details.html
"The ...
Citations / sources:
"What Does The Devil Is in the Details Mean? (Dissecting This Idiom)". "wikiHow". Link: https://www.wikihow.com/The-Devil-Is-in-the-Details#
"The Phrase Finder". "The meaning and origin of the expression: The devil is in the details". Link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-devil-is-in-the-details.html
"The ...
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February 5, 2024 • 11 mins
In this episode you discover the true meaning and origin of the phrase, "Rule of Thumb
".
One discovery I made as I investigated the origin of this phrase is - despite popular belief - in reality it has NOTHING to do with the myth that English law allowed a man to beat his wife with a rod no thicker than his thumb.
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Information sources:
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Rule of thumb". "The Phrase Finder" online. Link: http...
".
One discovery I made as I investigated the origin of this phrase is - despite popular belief - in reality it has NOTHING to do with the myth that English law allowed a man to beat his wife with a rod no thicker than his thumb.
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Information sources:
"The meaning and origin of the expression: Rule of thumb". "The Phrase Finder" online. Link: http...
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January 4, 2024 • 15 mins
In this episode you discover the Word of the Year as identified by Merriam-Webster Dictionary and the Oxford Dictionary along with "runner up" words that nearly took the title.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
"Word of the Year 2023". Merrium-Webster online. Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/word-of-the-year
Sara Kuta, "‘Rizz’ Is Oxford’s 2023 Word of the Year"; December 3, 2023. Smithsonianmag.com. Article link: http...
Resources mentioned in this episode:
"Word of the Year 2023". Merrium-Webster online. Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/word-of-the-year
Sara Kuta, "‘Rizz’ Is Oxford’s 2023 Word of the Year"; December 3, 2023. Smithsonianmag.com. Article link: http...
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November 22, 2023 • 11 mins
The slang term for the British Pound is "Quid". How old is that term, what is the origin, and what is the true meaning?
Discover the answers to these questions and learn more about "the Quid" and it's history in this episode.
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Sources used in this episode:
"What Is a Quid? History of the British Pound Sterling (GBP)". "Investopedia". Link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/quid.asp#citation-3
"UNDERSTANDING BRITISH MONEY: WHAT’S A...
Discover the answers to these questions and learn more about "the Quid" and it's history in this episode.
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Sources used in this episode:
"What Is a Quid? History of the British Pound Sterling (GBP)". "Investopedia". Link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/quid.asp#citation-3
"UNDERSTANDING BRITISH MONEY: WHAT’S A...
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October 8, 2023 • 12 mins
In this episode you discover the surprising centuries old origin of the term "Honeymoon".
Sources cited in this episode:
"The Surprising Meaning Of Honeymoon Explained". Dictionary.com. Link: https://www.dictionary.com/e/honeymoon/
"THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD "HONEYMOON": WHAT DOES IT MEAN". BatchMead.com. Link: https://www.batchmead.com/blogs/batch/did-mead-coin-the-term-honeymoon
"The mysterious origin of the word 'honeymoon'". Insider.c...
Sources cited in this episode:
"The Surprising Meaning Of Honeymoon Explained". Dictionary.com. Link: https://www.dictionary.com/e/honeymoon/
"THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD "HONEYMOON": WHAT DOES IT MEAN". BatchMead.com. Link: https://www.batchmead.com/blogs/batch/did-mead-coin-the-term-honeymoon
"The mysterious origin of the word 'honeymoon'". Insider.c...
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September 8, 2023 • 10 mins
In this episode you discover how the phrase, "I heard it through the grapevine" and related sayings came to be.
You'll also discover how that phrase led to one of Motown Records most popular song.
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Sources for information shared in this episode:
"Heard It On The Grapevine" - Ginger Software: https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/heard-it-on-the-grapevine/#
Lyrics for "I heard it through the grapevine": https://www.google.co...
You'll also discover how that phrase led to one of Motown Records most popular song.
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Sources for information shared in this episode:
"Heard It On The Grapevine" - Ginger Software: https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/phrases/heard-it-on-the-grapevine/#
Lyrics for "I heard it through the grapevine": https://www.google.co...
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July 10, 2023 • 12 mins
We have a love - hate relationship with wealth in general and money specifically. Why?
In this episode you discover the centuries old source of the phrase heard so often today, "Filthy Rich".
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Sources Used in This Episode:
Definition of "Filthy Rich" according to Merrium Webster Online: Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filthy%20rich#:~:text=%3A%20extremely%20rich,wealth%20is%20excessive%20or%20offensive
Source of Filt...
In this episode you discover the centuries old source of the phrase heard so often today, "Filthy Rich".
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Sources Used in This Episode:
Definition of "Filthy Rich" according to Merrium Webster Online: Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filthy%20rich#:~:text=%3A%20extremely%20rich,wealth%20is%20excessive%20or%20offensive
Source of Filt...
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