Grumpy?
Valentine’s chip on shoulder: how idioms originate
As it’s Valentine’s Day, I was remembering one of the less romantic dates of my early dating life. I think it was the second date and Charles had asked to…
Novak Djokovic enjoys the limelight
Limelight or spotlight? Use the right phrase.
The English language is full of tricks and words of similar meaning that are confusing to second language speakers. One of these is limelight and spotlight. While some believe that…
From six yards to nine: how idioms originate
In mid-January I asked my bookkeeper for an updated statement of my account. I wanted to look at my Dec/Jan financial affairs to prepare myself for 2020. What he sent…
Fridge magnets – the scientific kind
Magnate or magnet: Use the right word
This week South Africans bade farewell to our stalwart entrepreneur Richard Maponya. Mayponya, who died at the age of 99, brought to the country, the first shopping mall in a…
SA not in a good moody – despite new year joy
As South Africans settle into the swing of 2020 economic uncertainty still dogs day to day discussions. So despite the freshness of a new year, you might be feeling a…
Best thing since sliced bread: how idioms are formed
Last week, I decided I was tired of egg and toast for breakfast, so I ate muesli for five days. This week I ran out of bread and it would…
Picture by Stijn te Strake - Unsplash
Waiting for the cows to come home: Origin of idioms
It seems that I have to wait for the cows to come home to get paid by some of my clients. In one instance, I have been waiting for more…
Picture by David Hellman - Unsplash
How to tackle intelligence: word meanings
At university our syndicate was referred to as 'The Brains Trust' and in other groups I was touted as 'Brainiac'. Thus, I thought I had intelligence – quite a bit of…
Picture by Sam Lee -Unsplash
Why are squibs damp? How idioms are formed
Last week, I set out to take part in a cyclethon which had all the promise of a thunderous event complete with disco lights, the hippest of DJs and an…
A dog's life
Doggerel: How words originate
With no less than eight beautiful loving dogs at home, and witnessing the birth of three perfect puppies, I am rather distressed to learn that the origin of the word…
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