On the horns of a dilemma
On the horns of a dilemma: origin of idioms
Idioms add to the language. And idiom is a cultural expression that gives descriptions to situations.
Oh, for the life of Rilely: origin of idioms
I guess it’s no co-incidence that my blog today is about living the life of Riley. As I have been feeling restless and vigorously browsing travel sites (Coronavirus notwithstanding –…
Best is best! Language quirks
I am constantly amazed at the number of authors who label their books ‘No 1. Bestseller’. Last weekend, I shared a platform with a new writer who did just that.…
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…
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…
Madness
Black Friday and bargain idioms
When Game of Thrones captured the imagination of millions of fans to an obsessive degree, I used to say, “You get two kinds of people – those who watch Game…
You’re never too young to write a book
There’s a book in everyone, so the saying goes. And in some there are more than one – think of all the Jodi Picoult and Nora Roberts, John Grisham and…
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