good good study, day day up

Calque of Chinese 好好學習，天天向上 /好好学习，天天向上.

clq

Calque of Chinese 好好學習，天天向上 /好好学习，天天向上

Last, but the most important, I would like to thank my parents for their endless love and support. When I was a young girl, they told me "Good good study, day day up." I always keep these simple words in mind and try to make it.

2018 July 16, Jing Guo, High Resolution Imaging, Spectroscopy and Nuclear Quantum Effects of Interfacial Water, Springer, →ISBN, page xii:

William from Canada said, "My Chinese classmates often tell me to 'Good good study, day day up' (study hard and make progress every day). It's catchy; it has become my signature line!"

2024 May 22, Ruanni Tupas, Investigating Unequal Englishes: Understanding, Researching and Analysing Inequalities of the Englishes of the World, Taylor & Francis, →ISBN:

(China) if one studies hard, they will gradually improve day by day


as God is my witness

may God be my witness
may God be my witness#English

Alternative form of may God be my witness.


skibidi Ohio rizz

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-skibidi Ohio rizz.wav

From skibidi (a nonsense word) + Ohio (“weird, bizarre; off-the-wall; cringe”, adjective) + rizz (“charisma, charm”), all derived from supposed Generation Alpha slang.

compound

She skibidi Ohio rizz on my gyatt until I Fanum tax.

Generation Alpha
Generation Alpha#English

(Internet slang, humorous, neologism) A nonsense phrase implying, referencing, inferring or bemoaning the supposed slang, memes, trends and other activities of Generation Alpha.


until next time

till next time (alternative)
'til next time (alternative)


head

is that what the kids are calling it these days

I've never heard it called that before#English

Synonym of I've never heard it called that before.


molon labe

Transliteration of Ancient Greek μολὼν λαβέ (molṑn labé, literally “come and take [it/them]”).

translit

right to keep and bear arms
right to keep and bear arms

An expression of defiance, mostly utilized to show support of the right to keep and bear arms and the opposition of gun control in the United States; often translated as come and take it.


you'll live

It's just a bruise, you'll live.

Used to comfort or reassure someone after an injury or in response to a complaint, often in a playful or sarcastic tone: you will be fine.


all eyes are on

Sabrina Carpenter is, finally, getting her flowers. Ever since demurely (I don't use that word lightly!!!) performing what would become the song of 2024 as part of her Coachella set—no, literally, "Espresso" just won the MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year—all eyes have been on 'Brina.

2024 September 21, Heath Owens, “What to Wear to Sabrina Carpenter's 'Short N' Sweet' Tour”, in Cosmopolitan:

Everyone is looking at or paying attention to (someone or something).


if all else fails

Read on for Short n' Sweet Tou outfit ideas, and if all else fails, just buy this Jesus Was A Carpenter T-shirt.

If none of someone's attempts or plans succeed.


I can't lie

I can't lie, I was hoping you wouldn't notice.

(idiomatic, informal) To be honest, frankly, honestly.


mud sticks

(UK, informal) It is very difficult to modify a negative or unfavorable impression or opinion that a person holds about someone, even if it is later disproved.


makes you think

Imagine, now, this irrepressible figure [Boris Johnson] transposed to the Group of 8 summit chamber, or with his finger on the nuclear button, or in the Downing Street equivalent of the White House Situation Room, deciding whether or not to send British troops to war. Makes you think, doesn’t it?

2014 September 1, Matthew d’Ancona, “Boris Johnson’s Blond Ambition”, in New York Times:

Used to acknowledge or invite reflection about an event (sometimes facetiously).


and the church says amen

Isaac [Dunbar]: I'm very grateful, a lot of people don't get to experience that. And since I make music and I'm lucky enough to have people that listen, hopefully they can feel the same transformative-ness that I felt.
Kerri [Colby]: And the church says Amen.

2024 May 10, Justin Moran, “Isaac Dunbar and Kerri Colby Were Built for This”, in Paper:

(slang) Used to express strong agreement or approval.


ciao bella

(informal) Alternative form of ciao (said to a woman)


no bigs

Ellipsis of no big deal + -s (hypocoristic suffix).

About Hélio [Castroneves]: He’s a Brazilian race car driver who won the Indy 500 three full times, no bigs.

2024 September 18, Mehera Bonner, “A Look at All the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Winners Over the Years”, in Cosmopolitan:

(slang, often ironic) Synonym of no big deal.


screaming, crying, throwing up

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-screaming, crying, throwing up.wav

Well, on the grounds of this, what if I told you the brand's latest launch goes against the latter and instead, is the first product in an opaque lip crème line? Screaming, crying, throwing up, much?

2023 May 12, Lia Mappoura, “I tried Glossier's brand new G Suit lip crèmes so you don't have to – you're welcome”, in Cosmopolitan:

(Internet slang) Used to indicate enthusiasm or excitement.


hold my milk

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-hold my milk.wav


TBPH

However, I must admit that final scene did a lot for my sanity and people have been wondering why I've suddenly broken into dumb grins all bloody day!! It was sweet and it was sexy but TBPH I'm not sure I can hack going through the entire hour again, I think I'll just put my VCR's FF to good effect.

1999 July 5, Jess Jones, “The Unnatural”, in uk.media.tv.sf.x-files (Usenet):

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of to be perfectly honest.


and I claim my five pounds

After newspaper competitions, such as Lobby Lud, where readers were offered money for spotting a certain figure in public and accosting him with a passphrase, such as "you are Lobby Lud, and I claim my five pounds". (However, the Lobby Lud competition did not involve this phrase.)

"You are John Rigor Mortis Doe and I claim my five pounds!"

2008 June 15, Al Ewing, I, Zombie, Abaddon Books, →ISBN:

'You are the one... known as the Doctor...' said the vagrant, tottering towards him.
 'And I claim my five pounds,' Felicia heard Percy say bitterly.

2015 February 12, Gareth Roberts, Doctor Who: The English Way of Death: The History Collection, Random House, →ISBN, page 186:

'You are Mr Joscelyne,' they heard her joke, waggling her ring finger under his nose, 'and I claim my five pounds.'

2015 August 11, Elizabeth Cooke, You Belong to Me: A Novel, Open Road Media, →ISBN:

(UK, humourous) Used to intensify a statement of someone's identity, particularly to make a humourous comparision between two unrelated people or entities.


ihy

Alternative form: IHY

(Internet slang) Abbreviation of I hate you.


I'm lesbian

Indicates that the speaker is a lesbian.


six feet deep

As I lay me down to sleep
I pray to the Lord to put me six feet deep

2019, “Black Bear”, in The Valley, performed by Whitechapel, Track 5:


all things

My sister likes all things photography.

These bastards stole their power from the victims of the Us-v.-Them Years,
wrecking all things virtuous and true.

1992 October 5, R.E.M., “Ignoreland”, in Automatic for the People:

Ugg is pretty much synonymous with all things cozy, and the same can be said about these plus-size leggings. […] “I love all things Ugg, so I knew I'd be a fan of these Ugg leggings,” says Glamour's Navarro.

2023 December 15, Andrea Navarro, “14 Best Winter Leggings, Tested & Endorsed by Glamour Editors”, in Glamour:

(informal) Followed by a noun, adjective, etc.: everything related to the specified subject.


duck or no dinner

"Do you mean it is 'fish or cut bait,' 'duck or no dinner ?'" asked the librarian.

1917, Malcolm C. Fenwick, Life in the Cup, page 22:

You were urged to keep status quo, shut your mouth, and go along with the flow. It was sort of like a Louisiana saying, "It was duck or no dinner."

2014, Art Crews, Judy Burleigh-Crews, We Made ’Em Look Good, page 76:

The Charter was, of course, a compromise beteen the different approaches of the leading members of the Independent Alliance. There had been arguments galore about it. At one point, the attempted input from councillors had prompted an exasperated Michael Fitzmaurice to say that they should be told they would have to accept the 'full duck or no dinner.'

2020, Shane Ross, In Bed with the Blueshirts:

take it or leave it
take it or leave it#English

The same thing that has given a bent to many other minds—necessity. With him it was shoot duck or no dinner.·

1889, Lew Wallace, Living Leaders of the World:

In Birchley's phrase, there was no stability: 'either duck or no dinner'.

1992, R. P. T. Davenport-Hines, Judy Slinn, Glaxo: A History to 1962, page 318:

Asked by Steadman what he did when Johnson threw at him, Baker replied: "It was either duck or no dinner."

1998, Henry W. Thomas, Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train, page 391:

all duck or no dinner
all duck or no dinner#English

Alternative form of all duck or no dinner.


no duck, no dinner

duck or no dinner
duck or no dinner#English


no fish, no dinner

If fish is not served, then dinner will not take place.


there's a thought

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-there's a thought.wav

Used to indicate that something is a novel idea worth considering.


now there's a thought

there's a thought
there's a thought#English


head

for what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful


elementary, my dear Watson

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-elementary, my dear Watson.wav

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-elementary, my dear Watson.wav

Alluding to Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective and protagonist of many stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Nevertheless, the exact phrase “elementary, my dear Watson” was never used in Doyle's stories.

"No light repartee, have you, old bean? There, there, we can't always have brains as well as beauty. What have we for lunch? Stew? How did I know? Elementary, my dear Watson—the smell of onions is unmistakable."

1922, Agatha Christie, chapter 17, in The Secret Adversary:

Elementary, my dear Watson! There's an invisible element in the cabinet, a character that, without making itself known, gives coherence to and makes systemic all the braying of the government team. A boss to whose command everyone submits.

2005, Marcos (subcomandante.), Conversations with Durito, page 109:

" […] Why wouldn't I call in the troops and end this once and for all?" "Elementary, my dear Watson. You don't know who to trust either. You're in the same position as me . […]"

2020, Ethan Cross, The Ackerman Thrillers Boxset: 1-6:

Used to emphasize how much more clever the speaker's deductive abilities are than those of the listener.


two birds, one stone

Gould is to go before the Legislature for legislation favorable to the elevated system. The cable road will oppose this. But while the fight between the two presumably rival companies wages hottest it is expected that there will be a halt and truce all of a sudden between the two, and as a compromise that each will consent that the legislation sought by the other shall be permitted to go through. Two birds, one stone—Jay scores a double victory.

1889 March 25, “Jay [Gould] and the Cable Road. Gould Bound to Keep a Grip on Rapid Transit. The Tireless Schemer Is Said to Have Acquired Control of the New-York Cable Railroad.”, in The New-York Times, volume XXXVIII, number 11,722, New York, N.Y., page 1, column 3:

My friend Ruth loves to contra dance and she met her fiancé Paul that way (two birds, one stone).

2008, Nerissa Nields, “Exercise”, in How to Be an Adult: A Musician’s Guide to Navigating Your Twenties, Northampton, Mass.: Mercy House Publishing, →ISBN, part 2 (Taking Care of the Vehicle That Is You), page 32:

And now she was pitching to him over dinner? ‘Is that standard practice?’ ‘Well, strictly speaking, no. But we’re all crazy busy and we gotta eat, right? This way, two birds, one stone.’

2014, Karen Swan, chapter 21, in The Summer Without You, London: Macmillan, →ISBN, page 327:

On another occasion, when trying to brainstorm things I could do to make myself feel better despite all the pandemic restrictions, Woebot suggested I “try doing something nice for someone in your life,” like make a calming tea for my housemate or check in with a loved one. I poured my mum some chamomile: Two birds, one stone.

2022 September 27, Barclay Bram, “My Therapist, the Robot”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-09-27:

two birds with one stone
two birds with one stone#English

Alternative form of two birds with one stone.


dogs bark, cats meow

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-dogs bark, cats meow.wav

[…] dogs bark, cats meow, and sinners sin. Sinning comes natural to us. That's why we are in constant war with our flesh.

2009, Linda P. Kozar, Dannelle Woody, Babes with a Beatitude, page 146:

He's surprised to learn she knows he drinks too much. "It's in the Met Centre facts of life file," she says; "dogs bark, cats meow and Stenning drinks."

2017, Bill Warren, Keep Watching the Skies!:

(colloquial, humorous) Introduces something seen as inevitable or totally commonplace.


sweet home Alabama

From the 1974 song "Sweet Home Alabama" by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Alluding to the Appalachian stereotype of inbreeding and incest.

Ariana Grande is making waves online after she posted a photo of herself locking lips with another female — someone that she refers to as her “first cousin” in the photo’s caption. In actuality, the two girls are just best friends. ¶ “Wait [you] know what this means……… SWEET HOME ALABAMA,” wrote one Instagram user.

2018 November 19, Effie Orfanides, “Ariana Grande Kisses Courtney Chipolone in ‘Mean Girls’ Snap”, in Heavy:

"When your brother is ur most compatible on Hinge," reads the caption over her video. ¶ The first clip shows a screenshot of Zander's profile with a Hinge banner over the top saying: "Most Compatible: Aliah and Zander, we think you two should meet." […] One person wrote: "Hinge said sweet home Alabama. lmao, I can't."

2022 July 22, Sameen Chaudhry, “Hinge Told A TikToker She's 'Most Compatible' With Her Brother & They Had The Best Reactions”, in Narcity, archived from the original on 2022-07-27:

In the picture, we can see his [Novak Djokovic's] chiseled physique with an infectious smile. While he is running, his brother runs behind, recording a video. Fans are already going crazy over it. Here’s how they reacted to the viral picture. […] “Why is his brother taking a video… sweet home Alabama?”

2023 January 29, Gaurav Verma, “‘Why Is His Brother Taking a Video..Sweet Home Alabama?’ – Tennis Fans React Hilariously to Unearthed Novak Djokovic Underwear Photo”, in EssentiallySports:

Christy, 26, recently went viral on TikTok after she shared a video on 27 February appearing to brag about marrying her stepdad. […] "What in the sweet home Alabama is going on here [sic]," questioned a second [TikTok user], while a third wrote: "bombastic side eye, 360 head turn, blank stare, jaw dropped [sic]."

2023 March 8, Emma Guinness, “Woman who 'married' her stepdad shares real story”, in UNILAD:

(slang) Used humorously to imply the possibility of an incestuous relationship.

Appalachian stereotypes
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama


ROTFLMFAO

ROTFLMFAO!!! I have this incredible, irreversible mental video playing of this entire event. Wojo, whenever you get mean and ornary, I'm gonna remember your bout with a po widdle kitty cat and just laugh my ass off.

2000 August 10, Cathi K., “Re: I hate cats (not Cathi K's)”, in alt.books.stephen-king (Usenet):

ROTFLMFAO. I have been in this forum for over three years. Sure, I change my name ever so often. Humm, maybe it is hard for you to realize that noone may be who they seem to be on the Internet.

2003 September 27, droidsdonotpoop, “I traded Lenny in.”, in alt.games.everquest (Usenet):

When the battery’s potential energy is all used up, our phone is dead. In the case of rechargeable batteries, recharging can restore their potential energy. Now we can text again! LOL! ROTFLMFAO! Whatever that means.

2015, Michael Jay Farabee, “Energy and Enzymes” (chapter 5), in Green Harvest: An Introduction to Biology, Dubuque, Ia.: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, →ISBN, page 107:

(Internet slang, text messaging, vulgar) Initialism of rolling on the floor laughing my fucking ass off.


WYD

Alternative form: wyd

To all my candle-loving peeps: If you don't have this rechargeable lighter in your life yet, WYD? It makes your life so much easier (and your fingers less in danger) when lighting your favorite scents—especially when the wicks get lower and lower and you're trying not to burn yourself.

2024 October 8, Lauren Gruber, Megan Uy, “We Found Sooo Many Viral TikTok Items on Sale for October Prime Day”, in Cosmopolitan:

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of what('re) you doing (“what are you doing”).


twenty dollars is twenty dollars

20 dollars is 20 dollars (alternative)
$20 is $20 (alternative)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-twenty dollars is twenty dollars.wav

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-twenty dollars is twenty dollars.wav

I'm not gay, but twenty dollars is twenty dollars.

"Twenty dollars is twenty dollars,” Jason said philosophically.

"Well," answered Ed, "I almost shouted when Hilda fell out, but twenty dollars is twenty dollars!"

2019, Sean David Burke, 101 Great Jokes about Death and Dying, page 104:

(Internet slang) Used to express a willingness to do something one would not ordinarily do if one is paid for it.


ifb

Alternative form: IFB

(Internet slang) Initialism of I follow back.


20 dollars is 20 dollars

twenty dollars is twenty dollars#English

Alternative form of twenty dollars is twenty dollars.


twenty bucks is twenty bucks

Synonym of twenty dollars is twenty dollars.


mean people suck

(slang) Used to convey the idea that mean-spirited people are harmful and should be avoided.


ygm

Your housemate’s excuse: “If it makes you feel better we shower together sometimes.” No, it doesn’t. ¶ Their other half’s apology: “If you think about it I’m saving the planet by borrowing your energy, ygm?”

2020 February 13, Charlie Walker, “If your boyfriend stays at our house three nights a week, he should pay rent”, in The Tab:

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of you get me.


GRWUS

Coordinate term: GRWM

(Internet) Initialism of get ready with us.


is this a safe space

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is this a safe space to admit i’ve never seen mamma mia

2020 December 27, @stressadilla, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-10-15:

Is this a safe space. That old Wendy’s chilli on top of their salad was the best thing I’ve ever had from a fast food restaurant ever. 🤷🏾♀🤷🏾♀

2022 December 29, @PrettySneakySlS, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-10-15:

Is this a safe space? I’d never live in New York. I don’t know how y’all do that.

2023 November 20, @202NATALIEE, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-10-15:

(Internet slang, often humorous) Used before sharing an opinion or preference that might be seen as unpopular or controversial.


how the sausage is made

how the sausage gets made
how the sausage gets made#English

Alternative form of how the sausage gets made.


less than nothing

I know less than nothing about biochemistry!


what does it all mean, Basil

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-what does it all mean, Basil.wav

Referencing a scene from the American spy comedy film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), in which British spy Austin Powers (Mike Myers) asks his controller, Basil Exposition (Michael York), for clarification about the meaning of a clue as to the location of Dr. Evil's lair.

Though Michael [Swift]’s wife is excited about him joining Marilyn, Michael himself is a lot less certain. Just like Julia [Houston]! But what does it all mean, Basil?

2012 February 21, Hillary Busis, “Smash recap: Enter Mr. DiMaggio”, in Entertainment Weekly:

Per [Adam] Schefter, the Patriots traded a fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for troubled-but-talented wide receiver Josh Gordon, with the caveat that New England will get back a late-round pick from Browns if Gordon isn't active for 10 of the team's 14 remaining regular-season games. ¶ What does it all mean, Basil? Let's break it down.

2018 September 18, Brad Gagnon, “Winners, Losers and Takeaways from Patriots-Browns Trade Involving Josh Gordon”, in Bleacher Report:

What does it all mean, Basil? [section title] ¶ With all this said, what’s the significance of term sheets for future negotiations? They do three things.

2024, Marc R. Butler, Eric Butow, “Understanding Term Sheets and Investment Agreements” (chapter 13), in Funding a New Business for Dummies (For Dummies), Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., →ISBN, →LCCN, page 188:

(Internet slang) Used (often sarcastically) to express confusion in relation to a seemingly absurd or complicated situation; often followed by an explanation.

Austin Powers (character)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Basil Exposition
Dr. Evil
Michael York
Mike Myers


tfym

Alternative form: TFYM

(Internet slang, text messaging, vulgar) Initialism of the fuck you mean.


TFYM

Alternative form: tfym

(Internet slang, text messaging, vulgar) Initialism of the fuck you mean


I think not

I don't think so
I don't think so#English


what the flying fuck

(slang, vulgar, derogatory) A more intensive form of what the fuck.


SYBAU

“I love bts but-“ sybau you’re a random editing account pretending to be a “army” under a jimin hate post…

“something i be fighting demons not telling someone “boy sybau ain’t no one gaf” like i fight demons

"shoes in the house???" im about to go somewhere sybau

(Internet slang, text messaging, vulgar) Initialism of shut your bitch ass up.


find your height

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see find, your, height.

(Philippines, colloquial) to line up by height; to queue up by height


I wouldn't piss on someone if they were on fire

I wouldn't piss on her if she was on fire.

2007, Joseph Mahmough, Be That As It May: Don't Worry About Things You Can't Change, page 85:

I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire.

2011, William W. Johnstone, J. A. Johnstone, A Good Day to Die, page 322:

(informal, vulgar) Expresses great contempt and loathing for someone.


what did I tell you

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-what did I tell you.wav


ydk

“My sister just got engaged to her Indian boyfriend so you know we had to address the elephant in the room somehow,” read the caption of the image shared by Twitter user Mishal. She replied to her own tweet and wrote, “(if ydk what project milaap means, please grow up & educate yourself).”

2023 February 20, Arfa Javaid, “Pakistani woman gets engaged to Indian man, celebrates with Main Hoon Na cake”, in Hindustan Times:

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of you don't know.


light come, light go

Tom kept Harkaway all to himself, and won the second prize in the lottery, some thirty shillings, which he and East contrived to spend in about three days in the purchase of pictures for their study, two new bats and a cricket-ball — all the best that could be got — and a supper of sausages, kidneys, and beef-steak pies to all the rebels. Light come, light go; they wouldn't have been comfortable with money in their pockets in the middle of the half.

1857, Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days:

easy come, easy go
easy come, easy go#English

(archaic) Synonym of easy come, easy go.


the tackies hit the tar

the rubber meets the road
the rubber meets the road#English

(South Africa) Synonym of the rubber meets the road.


you don't know where it's been

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-you don't know where it's been.wav

Get that banana peel out of your mouth this instant! You don't know where it's been!

(colloquial, childish) An object encountered in an unfamiliar place (such as outdoors) could be dirty or contaminated by germs, and should therefore not be handled through bodily contact. Chiefly said to command children not to interact with foreign objects.


htf

(Internet slang, text messaging, vulgar) Alternative letter-case form of HTF (“how the fuck”).


jumpers for goalposts

From the idea that children, in the absence of a proper pitch, will mark one using items of clothing (such as jumpers).

There is a strong, and understandable, tendency to romanticise a jumpers-for-goalposts golden age when football pitches looked like the battlefields of Flanders, assorted firms and crews spent their Saturday evenings trashing railway carriages and multi-millionaire players, bloodsucking investors and a globalised Manchester United had yet to ruin our lives.

2011 July 7, Anthony Clavane, Promised Land: A Northern Love Story, Random House, →ISBN, page 130:

In the next section we discuss the notion of 'jumpers for goalposts' in the United Kingdom, and how the modern notion of this, under different constraints, has emerged through activities such as cage football, mixed groups, playing against different ages, and so on.

2021 June 27, James Rudd, Ian Renshaw, Geert Savelsbergh, Jia Yi Chow, Will Roberts, Daniel Newcombe, Keith Davids, Nonlinear Pedagogy and the Athletic Skills Model: The Importance of Play in Supporting Physical Literacy, Routledge, →ISBN, page 45:

Fortunate to have open fields in front of her house , Paula and the boys from the estate would gather for the timeless routine of 'jumpers for goalposts', team selections, and games that only paused when mothers called them in for tea.

2024 September 26, Gail Emms, The Lost Lionesses: The incredible story of England’s forgotten trailblazers, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

association football
association football

(chiefly UK) Informal association football as played by children, especially as a romantic or old-fashioned ideal contrasted against the commercialism and cynicism of modern professional football.


all that said

She is impatient. She is mercurial. She is feisty. All that said, she is still lovable.


get out of my sight

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-get out of my sight.wav

(idiomatic, imperative) Stop bothering or harassing me; go away.


and nothing of value was lost

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-and nothing of value was lost.wav

Originated from a scene in the series The Critic (1995) where the protagonist Jay Sherman applauds the burning of a theater hosting a production of the stage play Cats, implying that it was a worthless production. Popularized in the 2000s among Internet users.

(Internet slang, sarcastic) Used to celebrate the end or demise of someone or something unfavorable or disliked.


YDKB

(Internet slang) Initialism of you don't know ball.


free alongside ships

free alongside ship
free alongside ship#English

Alternative form of free alongside ship.


come to Papa

I poked my head in the den just as Josh threw down a winning hand and yelled, “Yes! Come to Papa!” He swept the chips toward him and said, “Now I can pay for a real honeymoon!”

2004 December, Timothy James Beck [pseudonym; Timothy Forry; Timothy J. Lambert; Jim Carter; Becky Cochrane], chapter 10, in I’m Your Man, New York, N.Y.: Kensington Books, →ISBN, page 201:

The soldier pointed to the East at a black craft that suddenly appeared out of the clear blue sky, barreling towards them. “Yes… Yes, come to Papa!” Raymond’s heart pumped excitedly as he jumped back to his feet. It was as if at that very moment everyone saw the craft and stopped shooting to watch it hover ever so slowly above them.

2005, Michael Laberge, chapter 26, in Final Phase (The Struggle; 1), Victoria, B.C.: Trafford Publishing, →ISBN, page 234:

So he emptied his mind and sat quietly in the noisy squad room in hopes that the association he sought would swim a little nearer to the surface of his brain. And the glimmer came closer, closer — yes, come to Papa, baby, almost there . . .

2009, Susan Andersen, chapter 4, in Bending the Rules, Waterville, Me.: Thorndike Press, →ISBN, page 66:

Alternative letter-case form of come to papa.


I'm a Dutchman

Likely dates to the 17th century Anglo-Dutch wars, along with other uncomplimentary terms for the Dutch.

(British, humorous) Statement said after describing or hearing something obviously false.


we got company

(slang, nonstandard) Alternative form of we have company.


more by token

(Scotland, Ireland) Especially, still more, the more so.


we have company

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-we have company.wav

Used to formally express that one has visitors or friends at one's domain or residence.

(idiomatic, sarcastic) Used to express that one has encountered an enemy or rival.

wir haben Besuch

somebody is visiting; an enemy is encountered


felt cute, might delete later

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-felt cute, might delete later.wav

(Internet slang) Used to indicate that one has taken a selfie while feeling joyful or attractive, but one may remove that image from social media at a future date.


WNGMI

Coordinate term: NGMI

(Internet slang) Abbreviation of we're not gonna make it.


the long way around the barn

around Robin Hood's barn
around Robin Hood's barn#English

Synonym of around Robin Hood's barn (“a roundabout or circuitous route”).


may God damn you

Related to English damn you, which is shortened form.

They locked eyes for a long moment. "May God damn you, Cletus. And may God forgive me.”

2008, W.E.B. Griffin, William E. Butterworth IV, Death and Honor, page 452:

May God damn you, sir. I just learned you managed to burn and ruin a good half the sugar in my curing house.

"May God damn you!” I shouted. “You care only about yourself, and nothing for me. […]"

2014, Sherry Jones, The Sharp Hook of Love, page 189:

Used to express condemnation of, or anger or ill will toward someone.


nice try, Diddy

Referring to the various sexual assault allegations against American rapper and record producer Sean Combs, better known as Diddy and formerly Puff Daddy, Puff, Puffy and P. Diddy.

(Internet slang, neologism) Commented on a post to imply that Sean Combs (Diddy) is behind the material in question.

Sean Combs
Sean Combs sexual assault allegations


VEIS

Initialism of vent, enter, isolate, search (“a firefighting and rescue strategy”).


no soup for you

From episode 116, The Soup Nazi of the sitcom Seinfeld.

Once you know a plan has the drugs you need, and once you know what these drugs will cost, you might think you'd be done with your due diligence. Ha! No soup for you!

2016 October 4, Philip Moeller, Get What's Yours for Medicare: Maximize Your Coverage, Minimize Your Costs (The Get What's Yours Series), Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, →LCCN, page 127:

And then remember what I said, if that's the case, then no soup for you! LOL. You get no reward meal if you veer off the carb cycle even 1%, that's the deal!

2017 April 4, Michael Morelli, The Sweet Potato Diet: The Super Carb-Cycling Program to Lose Up to 12 Pounds in 2 Weeks, Hachette UK, →ISBN, →OCLC, Reward Meal:

A snide phrase used when declining a request, especially when previously assumed that the request will be fulfilled.


this ain't it, chief

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-this ain't it, chief.wav

(neologism, Internet slang) Used as a disagreeing riposte to point out that something isn't as good or admirable as the listener has previously thought.


DNPQ

(sports) Initialism of did not prequalify.


pull up your pants

A reference to sagging among African-Americans, and its associated moral panic.

Over at NewsOne, Donovan X. Ramsey contrasted two approaches President Obama has taken with black audiences: 1) the finger-wagging, pull-up-your-pants approach that he often takes with African-Americans, like the graduates at all-male Morehouse College [...]

2014 August 4, Gene Demby, “'Are You, Like, African-AMERICAN Or AFRICAN-American?'”, in NPR, archived from the original on 2015-08-13:

A particularly jarring instance is the pairing of a blasé industrial film titled The Land We Love (1966) with footage of the Watts riots in 1965, and seeing, in addition to the absence of black faces in the former, how the American Dream is a wonderful dream but is also used as a nightstick to beat those who have been systemically prevented from enjoying it. (See also: the ‘pull up your pants’/All Lives Matter crowd.)

2020 June 12, “I Am Not Your Negro review: race, rage and the American Dream”, in Sight and Sound, archived from the original on 2020-06-24:

respectability politics
respectability politics#English

(US, informal, attributive) A reference to respectability politics, especially with regard to African-Americans.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pull up, pants.


prevention is better than a cure

prevention is better than cure
prevention is better than cure#English

Synonym of prevention is better than cure.


I like turtles

Originated from a viral video in 2007 in which a boy with zombie face paint gets asked by an interviewer, "Jonathon just got an awesome face paint job. What do you think?", to which he responds with "I like turtles."

But what impressed me were the signs I saw people carrying. It was a sea of plucky disaffection: "This is a sign"; "One sign to rule them all"; "I want more tortillas when I order fajitas at a restaurant"; "I have a PhD in horribleness"; "I Like Turtles"; "Eat Some Sushi"; "My president is black and this sign is blue"; and "I already regret carrying this sign around all day."

2010 December 10, J.D., “Rallying to restore God”, in The Economist, archived from the original on 2020-09-18:

Many [signs] like one that said “The Dinosaurs Never Saw That Asteroid Coming. What’s Our Excuse?”, addressed the need for action on climate change. Others were more political: “Keep Your Tiny Hands Off The EPA.” One simply read: “I like turtles.”

2017 April 24, Sharon Guynup, “The March for Science makes its stand: ‘There is no Planet B’”, in Mongabay, archived from the original on 2017-06-02:

ok that’s cool but I like turtles

2022 May 9, @communisturtle6, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-12-01:

[Replying to a CNN news article] I like turtles

2023 July 19, @cliftonaduncan, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-12-03:

Your honor. I like turtles, I rest my case

2024 September 24, @MaineAntifa, Twitter, archived from the original on 2024-12-07:

(humorous) Used as a non sequitur to express indifference or ignorance towards a topic.


the cupboard is bare

(idiomatic) There is little to no food or money.


RIRO

rubbish in, rubbish out
rubbish in, rubbish out#English

(UK, computing) Acronym of rubbish in, rubbish out.


depends who's asking

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-depends who's asking.wav

who wants to know
who wants to know#English


AQH

(broadcasting) Initialism of average quarter-hour.


sugar and spice and everything nice

(informal, idiomatic) Describing a person who is kind, friendly, pleasant, and generally good-natured.


we have always been at war with Eastasia

From the 1949 George Orwell novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, in which the world is divided into the superpowers of Eastasia, Eurasia and Oceania. Oceania is in a state of perpetual war with one of the other powers but its alliance keeps shifting, and the government never acknowledges that its current adversary is its former ally and vice versa.

we have always been at war with Eurasia (alternative)
we've always been at war with Eastasia (alternative)
we've always been at war with East Asia (alternative)
we've always been at war with Eurasia (alternative)

Now it truly is as if it never existed in this repository! And we've always been at war with Eastasia.

2012, Jon Loeliger, Matthew McCullough, Version Control with Git: Powerful Tools and Techniques for Collaborative Software Development, page 344:

The more conversational, many-to-many nature of the medium also acts as a counterweight to older-style broadcast politics, where rulers could more easily get away with assurances that, "We've always been at war with Eastasia".

2016, George Megalogenis, Balancing Act: Australia Between Recession and Renewal:

"The President never downplayed the virus," according to press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. We have always been at war with Eastasia.

2021, Charles Finch, What Just Happened: Notes on a Long Year, page 184:

(humorous) Used to highlight a situation in which circumstances have changed, yet this change has gone unacknowledged or is being denied.


opportunity comes knocking

opportunity knocks
opportunity knocks#English


keep yourself safe

(Internet slang) Filter-avoidance spelling of kill yourself.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see keep, yourself, safe.


righty tighty, lefty loosey

lefty loosey, righty tighty (alternative)

This will help you remember which way to turn a screw, bolt or nut: "Righty tighty, lefty loosey."

1984 October, Scott Stuckey, “Hobby Hows”, in Boys' Life, volume 74, number 10, page 11:

"Lefty loosey," Jessie muttered, and tried turning the key counter-clockwise.

People sometimes become confused as to why a spoke is tightened by turning the spoke nipple counterclockwise. "Isn’t it always righty-tighty and lefty-loosey?"

1999, Vic Armijo, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cycling, page 293:

(mnemonic) Used to recall the direction a standard screw, bolt, or nut must be turned to either be tightened or loosened, or the direction a key must be turned to either lock or unlock something, right meaning clockwise and left meaning counterclockwise.

la dreta oprimeix, l'esquerra allibera

mnemonic for tightening and loosening screws


my culture is not your costume

Likely inspired by a widely-parodied 2011 ad campaign "We're a Culture, Not a Costume," raising awareness of racially insensitive Halloween costumes.

(Internet slang, humorous or derogatory, fandom slang) Within a fan group or subculture, an accusation of malicious appropriation by an outsider, or a denial of a person's credentials.


move it or lose it

use it or lose it
use it or lose it#English

Synonym of use it or lose it (“one's physical fitness will gradually decline if one does not exercise regularly”).


my body, my choice

A slogan describing freedom of choice on issues affecting the body and health, such as bodily autonomy, abortion and end-of-life care.


I got 2 phones

A lyric from the Kevin Gates song 2 Phones:
I got 2 phones, one for the plug and one for the load
Popularised around 2023, when creators began stitching videos, usually of women or LGBTQ people, interrupting them with the song.

blockquote

– My dog died.
– And I got 2 phones.


why am I not surprised

(colloquial, chiefly Canada, US) Expressing resignation in the face of a bad outcome that was plausible or inevitable.


if I've ever seen one

if I ever saw one
if I ever saw one#English


fuck you, Jack, I'm all right

fuck you, Jack, I'm alright
fuck you, Jack, I'm alright#English

Alternative form of fuck you, Jack, I'm alright.


goodnite

Compound of good + nite (“night”), by analogy with goodnight (“alternative form of good night: a farewell said in the evening or before going to sleep”).

We'll be together every day and night sweetheart. Goodnite my Viv. Stay a good girl, and stay my girl always. I love you so very much my precious darling.

1954 April 9, Vivian Cash, Ann Sharpsteen, quoting Johnny Cash, I Walked the Line: My Life with Johnny (collection of love letters), Scribner, published 2008, →ISBN, page 251:

goodnite to every little hour that you sleep tight... especially to u...james..

1996 October 17, Angel, “farewell and goodnite...”, in alt.music.smash-pumpkins (Usenet):

Guess im just going to say goodnite to me Buzz!! Im really saying Goodnite To all. Have a good nite. […] Goodnite Tracey & Cody Love You, My Grankids!

2000 May 2, BUZZY, “No Friends To say Goodnite Too? Post #49”, in alt.talk.grandparents (Usenet):

Rough day finally about to finish. Feeling like i was hit by a truck but thank God for this tea!!! ☝ goodnite guys ❤ x

2016 November 10, @palheiroisbackb, Twitter:

this is my favorite joke of the subreddit, ty and goodnite

2024 December 9, u/BigGayGinger4, “FBI arrests Upper St. Clair man accused of trying to join Hezbollah in Lebanon”, in r/pittsburgh, Reddit:

(Internet slang, text messaging) Informal spelling of goodnight.


take someone to brown town

From the fact that the anus is brown after defecation.

(idiomatic, humorous, vulgar) To have anal sex with someone.


who dey breeett

This came from the 2021 Grammy Awards when the popular Nigerian artist Davido said this term to express his awe when he won a award. It literally means "who is breathing?".

Who dey breeett! That backflip was epic!


dey play

"A chicken ate my donut!" "Dey play: that donut was on the table. Chicken can't climb."

(Nigeria, slang) Suggesting that somebody is being delusional.


you can lead a horse to water

you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink#English

Ellipsis of you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.


por qué no los dos

Borrowed from Spanish ¿por qué no los dos? (literally “why not the two?”, “why not both?”). This is a catchphrase originating from a 2009 American Old El Paso commercial about a packaged taco-making kit that contains hard and soft tortillas. In the advertisement, a group of people (speaking Spanish) squabble over whether hard or soft tacos are better, to which a young girl proposes “¿por qué no los dos?” (“why not both?”, subtitled as “why don't we have both?”).

bor

Por que no los dos? I like nuclear, but I also want high speed rail and low/zero emission tech becoming commonplace.

2019 February 11, @ArrowstotheSun, Twitter:

and then there’s the poly bi like por qué no los dos? 🤷🏻♀😏

2020 October 5, @Actually_Elley, Twitter:

It seems to me like the two have some overlap if approached in a particular way so por qué no los dos?

Por qué no los dos? I say love em both, it's what my people do 😌

Probably because it sucks but por que no los dos?

🤔🤔🤔 do I finally use the opportunity to see how painful laser removal is, or should I bite the bullet and just black out my whole inner wrist? perhaps por que no los dos?? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 maybe do a cheeky little palm tattoo finally…?

2024 November 9, @BleedingType, Twitter:

(chiefly Internet slang, sometimes humorous) Why not both; both.


if I may make so bold

if I may be so bold
if I may be so bold#English

Alternative form of if I may be so bold.


two birds/one stone

Tryptophan is an excellent antidote to insomnia, increasing sleepiness and decreasing waking time. (When the insomnia is accompanied by depression, it’s a “two birds/one stone” deal.)

2002, Michael Lesser with Colleen Kapklein, “The Stoic”, in The Brain Chemistry Diet: The Personalized Prescription for Balancing Mood, Relieving Stress, and Conquering Depression, Based on Your Personality Profile, New York, N.Y.: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, →ISBN, page 86:

Two birds/one stone – encouraging people to share you will, through economies of scale, save money. That saving can be shared with you.

2004, Robert Ashton, “10 ways to save your customers money and make more yourself”, in The Entrepreneur’s Book of Checklists: 1000 Tips to Help You Start and Grow Your Business, Harlow, Essex: Prentice Hall Business, →ISBN, page 86:

If you’re in favour of the two birds/one stone philosophy, then you’ll like this gastronomic experience within a world-class museum.

2012, Stephanie Plentl, A Hedonist’s Guide to Toronto, London: Filmer Ltd, →ISBN, page 61, column 2:

I never understood paying for burial when you could just let pigs eat your body. I mean, we were surrounded by pig farms and those pigs need to eat, so two birds/one stone.

2015, Jenny Lawson, “My Phone Is More Fun to Hang Out with Than Me”, in Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, New York, N.Y.: Flatiron Books, →ISBN, page 17:

Besides that, nursing and the military had been cherry-picked for me by Sheryl anyway; she probably had designs on making me a lifelong caretaker, and, two birds/one stone, wanted a carbon copy of her father, the violent patriarch in jump boots.

2016, Kari Rhyan, chapter 5, in Standby for Broadcast: A Memoir, [Village Books], published 2017, →ISBN, page 75:

two birds with one stone
two birds with one stone#English

Alternative form of two birds with one stone.


two birds—one stone

“Why not come with me?” suggested the criminal with his pleasant smile. “You’ll be calling on these fellows, anyhow. Two birds—one stone.”

1925 April 4, Lorin A. Lathrop, “The Recollections of a Consul”, in The Saturday Evening Post, volume 197, number 40, Philadelphia, Pa.: The Curtis Publishing Company, section “The Man of the Letter”, page 4, column 3:

TWO BIRDS—ONE STONE / When a motorist buys a storage battery for his new radio set there is no reason why his automobile should not still be in the back of his head. The battery folk put up a little neater outfit for radio use, but a storage battery is unsightly in any event, so why not buy a regular automobile bettery^([sic]) and hide it behind the furniture? Get a battery that will do for your car.

1926 April 10, The Daily Ontario, Belleville, Ont., Motor News section, page [7], column 1:

Margery batted an eye and took thought. She had to explain that unguarded “Oo-oo-h!” and she wanted to get the corporal out of the way for a few minutes. Two birds—one stone—

1927 September, William Byron Mowery, “Tamarack Pass: A Story of Flashing Blades That Were Not Swords amid the Snowy Wastes of the Muskeg Country”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume XCI, number 4, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], section II, page 719, column 2:

TWO BIRDS—ONE STONE. Now that my boy’s vacation is over he won’t go back to school, having had a glorious time working in a garage learning the business. What do you suggest? DISAPPOINTED DAD. Answer—Ask the superintendent of schools whether he has a part-time system. If so your boy can work in the garage for part time and go to school part time. This will be killing two birds with one stone—the first bird being a normal and natural desire which boys have at that age to get out into the workaday world, and the second bird being, satisfying the need for education which too late he will realize he had missed.

1927 October 10, Arthur Dean, “Your Boy and Your Girl”, in The Washington Post, number 18,743, Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Co., page 9, column 4:

TWO BIRDS—ONE STONE / The Minneapolis, Minnesota, club, as one of its major wartime activities, is supplying postcards for servicemen. The cards show scenes in Minneapolis and carry the Kiwanis emblem on the front. Costs were shaved to a minimum with the cooperation of members in the printing business.

1944 January, “Victory Parade”, in O. E. Peterson, editor, The Kiwanis Magazine, volume 29, number 1, Chicago, Ill.: Kiwanis International, page 32, column 2:

Two Birds—One Stone: All counselors realize the urgent need for orientation of new pupils. New teachers in a school—especially if they are inexperienced teachers—have just as urgent a need for orientation.

1954, Douglass Brown, “Here Is How We Do It: Programs and Practices around the Country”, in Bess Day, editor, The School Counselor, volume 1, number 2, Washington, D.C.: American School Counselor Association, page [2], column 2:

Anson Bolda put the Chicago letter in his pocket, tucked the gun under his belt, and carried the electronic eavesdropper from the hotel room. The pink convertible was waiting in the hotel parking lot, its engine still warm, but Bolda didn’t take the time to check it out for hidden bugs. If the fat shadow was again following him, two birds—one stone.

1967, Wilson Tucker, chapter 14, in The Warlock, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →LCCN, page 149:

Scores of Protestants, led by the likes of the Reverend Lyman Beecher and the famous inventor Samuel F. B. Morse, quickly saw a new reason for expanding the Protestant school system. It would not only help civilize street urchins, but also overcome the heresies of the Catholic church. Indeed, where Irish settled, the “two birds—one stone” theory clearly applied.

1977, Leonard L. Richards, “The Search for Order”, in “The Turbulent North”, in Carl N[eumann] Degler, editor, The Advent of American Democracy, 1815–1848 (Scott, Foresman American History Series), Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman and Company, →ISBN, page 106:

Two birds—one stone / It is not clear why farmers did not see the logic of the Comfortractor. Maybe they did, but felt about a tractor-car combination as their wives would have felt about a washing machine that churns butter.

1977 February 21, Gary Owens, “The Comfortractor—a dream not everybody shared or Where were all those style-conscious equipment buyers when they were needed?”, in Implement & Tractor, page 46, column 1:

Two Birds—One Stone / When doing live sound reinforcement, the biggest problems arise from people speaking either too closely or too far away from the microphones. […] You can reduce the problem by creating some 4″ x 6″ cards, similar to the one shown, and handing them out to anyone who will be using the microphones, or placing them on the podium where the mic is located. While you are at it, make sure to include the name of your company, with your phone number and a brief list of the services you offer. In the corporate world, chances are good that these cards will circulate and bring you additional jobs.

2001 May, Robert A. Lindquist, “DJ Shopper: Rack Up Extra Cash”, in Robert A. Lindquist, editor, Mobile Beat, number 67, East Rochester, N.Y.: LA Communications Inc., →ISSN, page 38, column 2:

Look, I can hold out against her. She’ll be mad. But there won’t be anything she can do. Maybe she’ll be so mad she’ll want to get rid of me and let me go and live in St. John’s. Two birds—one stone.

2017, Charis Cotter, “Annie”, in The Painting, [Toronto, Ont.]: Tundra Books, →ISBN, page 197:


sorry for 1999

(Hong Kong Cantonese, Internet slang) Used to apologize for speaking with poor communication skills, or to apologize for lacking the ability to convey one's intended meaning.


hold on to your hat

hold onto your hat
hold onto your hat#English


hang on to your hat

hang onto your hat
hang onto your hat#English


big if true

Derived from sensationalist news headlines reporting on rumors.

Interesting. 🤔 Big if true. Will look into it.

2024 October 16, Nathan Simington, Twitter:

Said in response to a rumored statement, to imply that if the rumor is factual it will have a large impact.

(Internet slang, humorous) Said in response to an obvious statement, or an absurdly untrue one.


I'm 14 and this is deep

When your entire life’s struggle is reduced to an exemplar of “I’m 14 and this is deep”, like you should know better, except there aren’t any answers, and everyone else puts their head in the sand.

2019, Saul van der Walt, Morsels for the Depressed, Depraved, Pessimistic, and otherwise Declining, →ISBN:

This is the same argument I'm making here with the "I'm 14 and this is deep" notion of "nobody can ever truly know anything", because if you know anything about epistemic philosophy, you'd accept that there are thousands of years of responses to this problem.

2019 June 23, Cire Drayniv, “Here's how it goes...”, in alt.music.pink-floyd.publius (Usenet), archived from the original on 2024-12-24:

As an art form, poetry has become the butt of jokes in recent years, often called “cringeworthy” for its content. The phrase “I’m 14 and this is deep” is believed to have originated from criticizing poetry shared on social networks like Facebook and Instagram.

[2020 October 20, “Cringey poetry is good for the mind and soul”, in The Signal, Atlanta, Ga.: Georgia State University:

Without the title of the painting or the supposed motive for its creation (sadness, anger, etc.) the art has no real value. It rings very similar to those “I’m fourteen and this is deep” posts that trick the viewer into believing that they’re such intuitive and deep thinkers by being able to interpret simple metaphors and analogies that tend to be very much on the nose.

2021 October 11, Logan Colman, “Hot take: modern art sucks”, in The Carroll News, Cleveland, Oh.: John Carroll University:

Crash didn't deserve an Oscar. It wasn't particularly deep or well-made, nor was it particularly nuanced or insightful. Anyone who feels this movie is special must be, 'I'm fourteen, and this is deep.' It was standard Oscar bait, and it sadly worked. It is a very skippable film.

2023 June 20, Mychal Thompson, quoting u/Literacy_Advocate, “19 Award-Winning, Highly Praised Movies That Are Underwhelming, And I Want To Know If You Agree”, in BuzzFeed, archived from the original on 2023-06-20:

This is incredibly apparent in “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?” where the aforementioned asylum lyric appears. It feels like Swift is trying so unbearably hard to be edgy and dark on this record that it comes across as simply comical. The track and the record, as a whole, radiates “I’m 14, and this is deep” energy.

2024 April 29, Kelly Brennen, “Taylor Swift delivers lackluster lyrics, uninspired production”, in The Torch, Valparaiso, Ind.: Valparaiso University:

(humorous) Used to express that something which presents itself as deep and insightful is actually shallow and immature.


sit on a tack

I don't care what he thinks! He can just sit on a tack!

"Go sit on a tack!" she said, angrily.

"From now on, so far as I'm concerned, you can sit on a tack!"

1920, E. J. Rath, “The Brains of the Family”, in Munsey's Magazine, volume 71, number 2, page 281:

And if the Devil doesn't like it, he can sit on a tack!

1925, George William Cooke, “Joy In My Heart”:

"You can sit on a tack!" He wanted to say it bad.

1936, Jack O'Connor, “Easy Mark”, in Fiction Parade and Golden Book Magazine, volume III, number 4, page 459:

"You can sit on a tack," Harry fired back, then laughed, and Susan laughed with her.

2020, Rita Mae Brown, Sneaky Pie Brown, Furmidable Foes: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery, Bantam Books, page 216:

(idiomatic, colloquial, dated) An expression of contempt or dismissiveness directed at someone, particularly in the case of disagreement.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see sit, on, a, tack.


pedals to the metal

pedal to the metal
pedal to the metal#English


what's occurring

(informal, South Wales) what's up? (greeting)


purple monkey dishwasher

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-purple monkey dishwasher.wav

Popularised in The Simpsons episode "The PTA Disbands", in 1995

And since the spring of 1995, no game of telephone has ended without some Simpsons-loving smart-ass dropping “purple monkey dishwasher” into the chain.

2013 October 27, Erik Adams, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “The PTA Disbands””, in The Onion AV Club:

Chinese whispers
Chinese whispers#English

(humorous) a nonsense phrase used at the end of a chain in a game of Chinese whispers, or when conveying a message on behalf of another, or others


what the fish

"[…] Is there anything in Singapore that you feel strongly about?" […] I give him the universally understood "what-the-fish?" look, which has the unexpected effect of tickling the residual funny bone in his body.


here for a good time, not a long time

A very good friend of mine / Told me something the other day / I’d like to pass it on to you / ’Cause I believe what he said to be true // He said “We’re here for a good time / Not a long time / So have a good time / The sun can’t shine every day //[…]”

1977 June 2, Brian Smith, Ra McGuire, “We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)”, in Knock ’Em Dead Kid, Universal City, Calif.: MCA Records, →OCLC, column 2:

Some people prefer to be here for a good time, not a long time. I prefer to be here for a good time and a long time, if possible.

2024, Jessica Spangler, Invest Like a Girl: Jump into the Stock Market, Reach Your Money Goals, and Build Wealth, page 247:

Life is short, so you should enjoy it while you can.


don't worry your pretty little head

You've put the plug in the wrong way round again, but don't worry your pretty little head: I'll fix it.

A patronizing (or sometimes humorous) phrase telling someone, usually a girl or woman, not to be concerned about a matter, implying that they do not have the mental capacity to understand it.


carriage forward

Coordinate term: Carriage Paid To

Stating that the buyer is responsible for paying the cost of shipping goods after they arrive at their destination.


Horn OK Please

The exact bracketing of the phrase is unclear (see 2014 quotation).

unknown

unclear

‘Awaaz Do’ […] is another way of expressing the single most phrase painted on the backs of lorries, ‘Horn OK please’
At first I thought I got the gist: please horn, OK? For the enormous trucks that rarely made use of their rear-view mirrors, it was essential to let them know of your desire to pass. However, I did find myself pondering, especially after several hours of chevron hypnosis, that there may be more than one way of viewing this curious assemblage of words. Was ‘horn’ a command or simple noun in this case? How to interpret the combination of the collaborative ‘OK’ with the supplicatory ‘please’? The more I thought about it, the less sense the phrase made and the more the three words appeared to have accidentally collided with one another to make a vaguely baffling bumper sticker.

2014, Vanessa Able, Never Mind the Bullocks: One Girl's 10,000 km Adventure around India in the Worlds Cheapest Car, Hachette UK, page 92:

[D]isplaying the phrase "Horn OK Please" is a gross violation of Section 134 (1) of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, which deals with signages to be used on the rear and sides of vehicles. "It encourages people to honk every time you pass a truck or tempo. It sends a wrong message to citizens[.]"

2015 May 1, Somit Sen, “Maharashtra government says tata-bye-bye to ‘Horn OK Please’ on trucks”, in The Economic Times, archived from the original on 2016-01-30:

MUMBAI: Activists here have welcomed the recent decision of transport commissioner Mahesh Zagade to ban the use of Horn OK Please on the rear side of commercial vehicles, such as trucks and tempos, across Maharashtra.

2015 May 4, Times News Network, “Implement 'Horn OK Please' ban properly, say activists”, in The Times of India, archived from the original on 2023-03-24:

(India, road transport) A request to honk before overtaking a commercial vehicle that is written on the rear end.


die liao

die + liao (indicates a change of state), from Hokkien 了 (liáu) or Teochew 了 (liao²), with the tone of Mandarin 了 (liǎo).
Partial calque of Hokkien 死了 (sí liáu).

[…] the exam so hard, i die liao lah (that paper was tough as hell, i'm sure to flunk).

2001 September 19, destrius', Everything2:

dont join smrt lar.. with their frequent breakdowns, they are facing alot^([sic]) of scrutiny from the public, stakeholders and regulators. anything goes wrong n they need a scapegoat den u die liao.

2014 September 2, Unregistered, “Engineer in SMRT”, in Salary.sg Forums, archived from the original on 2014-03-22:

(Manglish, Singlish, intransitive, hyperbolic) Used to suggest that one is doomed, or as good as dead.

(Manglish, Singlish, intransitive) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see die, liao.


who'd a thunk it

who would have thunk it
who would have thunk it#English

Alternative form of who would have thunk it.


we are where we are

Similarly, it serves little purpose to lament the lack of a few more votes for Vice President Al Gore in 2000 or Senator John Kerry in 2004, or how those few more votes would have made the world a different place. We are where we are: We have President George W. Bush!

2005 November 26, John E. Colbert, “Letter: The President We Have”, in The New York Times:

The legislation is much delayed and many of us were of the view that it would have been better had this been introduced in parallel with the offshore planning regime, but we are where we are and we will work with the timelines in front of us.

2023 January 26, Eoin Ó Broin, “General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion”, in Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Dublin: Oireachtas:

I do not want to look backwards, but I gently suggest that there are all sorts of reasons for delays. Still, we are where we are now, and what is important is moving ahead.

2024 December 11, Baroness Merron, “Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 — Question”, in House of Lords debates, UK Parliament:

(idiomatic) acknowledging the shortcomings of the present situation, while focusing on dealing with it rather than either dwelling on the causes or regretting what might have been

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see we, are, where, we, are.


who was your servant last year

what did your last slave die of
what did your last slave die of#English

Synonym of what did your last slave die of.


see how

Ah Meng felt the twinge again. He’d come this far. See how, lor. If got chance then got chance. No chance then no chance.

2014, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, Singapore Noir, Akashic Books, →ISBN, page 91:

Okay I see how. You make sure you study very well.

2019 September 20, Yeo Boon Ping, quoting Ikhmal, “Ikhmal, Father of 6, Responds to Online Comments”, in ricemedia.co, archived from the original on 2024-09-11:

(Singapore, Singlish) To see how things go; to wait longer before deciding or committing to something.


head

the bride at every wedding, the corpse at every funeral

Said by Alice Roosevelt Longworth of her father Theodore Roosevelt. Also used to describe Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Alice Roosevelt Longworth
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Theodore Roosevelt


so true, bestie

You just had a breakdown? So true, bestie.

“#SwimmingPool #cocktail #ThisPineappleLife.” These words are so true, bestie, and they’re spoken by Andrew Garfield’s character, Link, in one of the vlogs within a film that make up Gia Coppola’s new internet-age drama, Mainstream.

2021 April 6, Rebecca Alter, “Andrew Garfield Is a One-man Vlog Squad in Gia Coppola’s Mainstream Trailer”, in Vulture:

When asked what the metaverse needed to become sustainable, one respondent wrote, “A clear definition: The ‘metaverse promise,’ as it stands, is nothing. The people trying to sell it have no idea what it is, and neither do the consumers.” So true, bestie.

2023 January 19, Ash Parrish, “Game developers aren’t so hot on NFTs, the metaverse, or huge acquisitions”, in The Verge:

Because I’m an Aries, I immediately skipped to mine. Obviously. “Now, that’s F2F, and like, you did it for the thrill.” Some lyrics: “I just had to get my rocks off/You got no loyalty, you push me ‘til I pop off.” So true, bestie!

2024 February 1, Audra Heinrichs, “SZA (Rightfully) Discriminates Against Cancer Signs”, in Jezebel:

(idiomatic, slang, chiefly ironic) An assertion that something is true or relatable.


how are you keeping

how are you doing
how are you doing#English

Synonym of how are you doing (“asking after an acquaintance's welfare”).


can you not

(slang, informal) Used to politely or indirectly ask someone to stop doing something, conveying a hint of frustration or annoyance depending on the context.


TYFYS

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of thank you for your service.


that's it, send tweet

From an allusion to the act of publishing an impulsive post (tweet) on the social media platform Twitter.

Being lonely is stupid. That's it. Send tweet.

2020 July 11, josie, darth cupcake (@belliphant1), Twitter:

Sephiroth is the coolest villain ever that's it send tweet

As I write this, we are still in a prequantum computing world. Once quantum computing is a reality, it may become possible to reverse hashed values. No one knows for sure that this will happen or, if it does, when it will happen. That's it. Send tweet.

2025, Tanya Janca, Alice and Bob Learn Secure Coding, page 102 (eBook →ISBN) or page 76 (trade paperback →ISBN):

(Internet slang) Underscores a punchy quip or random thought.


one heart, one soul

sign of the cross
sign of the cross#English

(Philippines, Catholicism) A saying that is said in every prayer, before the sign of the cross.


you can't make this up

you can't make this stuff up
you can't make this stuff up#English

Alternative form of you can't make this stuff up.


can't park there, mate

(chiefly UK, humorous) A banterous phrase often uttered when coming across a crashed, broken-down, stuck, wheel-clamped, or otherwise immobilised vehicle, especially when said vehicle is in an unusual position. Said with the tongue-in-cheek implication that the owner of the vehicle is able to, and should, move it. "Mate" can be rarely replaced with a different form of address.


Yes. And?

Yes. And (canonical)
yes, and? (alternative)

American English: yes (affirming a statement or question) + and? (demanding further elaboration).

A: “You like pineapple on pizza?!” B: “Yes. And?” A: “Ew.”

Political Moderate: “No background checks for guns? You want anarchy!” Ancap: “Yes. And?”

so

I concede that the aforesaid accusation brought against me is true, but I fail to see the relevance thereof.


you don't want to know

(informal) Used to suggest that the information being discussed is unpleasant, inappropriate, or potentially upsetting.

(informal) Used to halt a discussion of a sensitive or undesirable nature.


KIV

(Singapore) Initialism of keep in view (applied to documents or records to be reviewed at a later time).


wsp

(Internet slang, text messaging) Abbreviation of what's up.


stuck in time

"We can't afford to let this industry get stuck in time."

1970, “Cassidy urges growth for Merchant Marine”, in Translog - Defense Transportation System Bulletin, volume 3, number 6:

in the same state as in the past; not changed


NCND

Initialism of neither confirm nor deny (“a secret service policy”).


all of a doodah

She can't find anything ... her glasses, her keys, her handbag ... she's all of a doodah.

(British, informal) In a confused or agitated state.


use your words

Used by educators or caregivers to encourage an upset child to express the problem verbally instead of misbehaving physically.

(by extension, Internet slang, derogatory) Used to mock or criticize a person perceived as being overemotional.


this is a book

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see this, is, a, book: Indicates to the interlocutor that the indicated object is a book

ky është libër

a sample phrase to indicate an object (here: a book) and explain what it is

هٰذَا كِتَاب (hāḏā kitāb) (هٰذَا (hāḏā, “this”) is used for singular masculine nouns, need to use appropriate pronouns for other objects)


could I get the bill

the bill, please
the bill, please#English


all cats are beautiful

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-all cats are beautiful.wav

When approached for comment on Tuesday, Ms Onus-Williams said the letters [ACAB] stood for 'all cats are beautiful'.

[2018 August 7, Kate Darvall, “Aboriginal activist who called for Australia to be 'burnt to the ground' defends her new tattoo amid claims it stands for 'all cops are b******s'”, in Daily Mail, archived from the original on 2021-08-01:

A supposed expansion of the acronym ACAB (“all cops are bastards”).


ILHSM

(Internet slang) Initialism of I love him/her so much.


that will do

I said, "Your Royal Highness : on or abou the 10th day of October, 1861, John Wilson Mackenzie, of Rotterdam, Chemung county. New Jersey, deceased, contracted with the General Government to furnish to General Sherman the sum total of thirty barrels of beef—"
"That will do, sir—that will do; this office has nothing to do with contracts for beef."

1871, Mark Twain, chapter IV, in Eye Openers: Good Things, Immensely Funny Sayings & Stories That Will Bring a Smile Upon the Gruffest Countenance, page 38:

C. — Mr. Smart Aleck, what does you know about this case?
Smart A. — I heard the accused say, "them there Germans needs more taters."
Miss C. — What else did you hear him say?
Smart A.— Nothing but I lost my—
Miss C. — Lost what?
Smart A. — Lost my tater.
Miss C— That will do for you. (To Solicitor) You may have the witness.

1919, Julia E. Park, Trial for the Murder of the King's English, page 12:

“That will do me nicely,’ he told the others. ‘I don’t like crocodiles — too many teeth.’

2009, Jeremy Strong, chapter 6, in The Indoor Pirates On Treasure Island, page 77:

(idiomatic) said to confirm that something is suitable in quantity or in a particular quality

етәр

expression to indicate something as being sufficient or enough

Your dog should know (at least) how to down, stay, and come, and should also know "That Will Do" (or “OK")..."That Will Do": used to release the dog from work & call it off the stock.

2009, Caroline Colie, Australian shepherds : everything about purchase, care, nutrition, behavior, and training, page 80:

Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was measuring between his nostrils, was doing this on its own. Mr. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes.
“That will do,” he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor.

2012, Joanne Rowling, “5, Diagon Alley”, in Harry Potter Omnibus, page 78:

(idiomatic) an interjection used to tell a person or animal to stop what they are doing


time is short

clock is ticking
clock is ticking#English

(idiomatic, almost always preceded by the and often followed by for) Synonym of clock is ticking.


MIGA

For Israel, I’m afraid, MIGA will have worse consequences than MAGA had in the U.S.

2024 February 6, Amy Neustein, “The ‘Make Israel Great Again’ movement will likely do the opposite”, in The Hill:

(derogatory) Acronym of Make Israel Great Again, used to suggest that Donald Trump and his allies prioritize Israeli interests over American ones.


mini splints

Eggcorn of mini splits (“type of HVAC system”)


(ASMR, Internet slang) Of audio, a masculine or male voice using non-identifying pronouns; audio spoken by a man intended for a listener of any sex or gender.

Abbreviation of Medicare For All; a left-wing political movement in the United States advocating for a universal, single-payer healthcare system run entirely by the government, as opposed to for-profit, private insurance companies.


(ASMR, Internet slang) Of audio, a feminine or female voice using non-identifying pronouns; audio spoken by a woman intended for a listener of any sex or gender.


what can I tell you

A: If we could get a decent signal around here, our phones would actually work, instead of being expensive bricks. B: What can I tell ya?


I'm going to be sick

(euphemistic) Synonym of I need to vomit.

(figurative) I find something repulsive or disgusting.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see I'm, going to, be, sick.


tmw

tmw you realize that all your posts are just imitations of hackneyed internet clichés

(social media slang) Initialism of that moment when


once a thief, always a thief

Said in admonishment to a person who was once considered a thief and later professed to have reformed, only to have been caught stealing once again.


time is on one's side

The tyrant may have won, but eventually, he will grow old and die. His regime will tear itself to pieces, as the same tyrant's army will fight itself over whoever will succeed him. Time is on the people's side.

Well, time is on my side, yes it is / Time is on my side, yes it is / 'Cause I got the real love, the kind that you need

1964, “Time Is on My Side”, Jimmy Norman (lyrics), Jerry Ragovoy (music), performed by The Rolling Stones:

Used to refer that someone will eventually win against an opponent by waiting for the opponent's eventual defeat.


one's cake is dough

(slang, idiomatic) Used to express when one's actions have failed to achieve any success or make any progress.


elbows up

en:2025 United States trade war with Canada and Mexico

en:Movements for the annexation of Canada to the United States#Proposals to annex Canada by Donald Trump

From Gordie Howe's prominent use of elbows while fighting in ice hockey. Political usage emerged during the 2025 United States trade war with Canada and Mexico and following Donald Trump's calls to annex Canada to the United States.

(ice hockey) a command to play with physicality in ice hockey, as in the style of Gordie Howe

We can't be a punching bag, and we have to get our elbows up.

2025 January 29, Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, speech:

Elbows up. Elbows up.

2025 March 1, Saturday Night Live, season 50, spoken by Mike Myers:

(Canada, by extension, politics, informal) a rallying cry to protect the nation, in reference to the defensive physical posture in ice hockey


don't feed the trolls

DFTT (alternative initialism)
DNFTT (alternative initialism)

don't feed the troll
don't feed the troll#English

(Internet slang) Alternative form of don't feed the troll.


God Shave the Queen

(ironic, humorous, sometimes derogatory) God Save the Queen.


nothing to see here

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-nothing to see here.wav

Derived from the police directive "Nothing to see here, move along," historically used to clear bystanders from crime or accident scenes. The phrase gained widespread recognition after its comedic use in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), where Frank Drebin (played by Leslie Nielsen) tries to defuse a chaotic scene by stating, "Move along! Nothing to see here!"

This town is very unattractive to tourists, since there's nothing to see here.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see nothing, to, see, here.

pay no attention to that man behind the curtain

After the press conference about the financial scandal, the spokesperson reassured the public that there was nothing to see here.

(originally law enforcement jargon) The event or situation is unremarkable or unimportant, and people should not pay undue attention to it.

The politician's vague response to corruption allegations was essentially a nothing-to-see-here moment.

A factory discharged waste into the river, but officials insisted it posed no danger. There was a sentiment of "nothing to see here".

(figuratively, often ironic or sarcastic) A phrase used to dismiss or downplay an event, frequently implying that there is, in fact, something significant being hidden or covered up.


task failed successfully

From a screenshot of a Windows XP error message.

(humorous, Internet slang) Used in response to a failure that leads to positive benefits.


spring has sprung

(colloquial, humorous) The spring season has arrived.


mugged by reality

(slang, idiomatic) Of a person, having experienced a sudden, harsh, confrontation with the truth or reality of a situation.


for a while

(Philippines, formal) Ellipsis of please wait for a while.


I'm not telling you

(idiomatic) Used to express that someone doesn't need to know something, typically because it is a secret (sometimes used as a way to attempt to hide someone's wrongdoing); may also be used when someone tries to ask for answers while doing an assignment or examination, or private or confidential information, including passwords.


singuli in solidum

(law) Individually liable for the full amount or obligation (in cases of group debt etc.).


KAG

(US politics) Acronym of Keep America Great, slogan used in support of Donald Trump.


all foam and no beer

all foam, no beer
all foam, no beer#English


the sun is over the yardarm

(dated, nautical) Used to indicate the time of day when it is permissible to begin drinking alcohol.


sic passim

Used to indicate that the previous word or phrase is used in the same way or manner for the remainder of a text


save the drama for your momma

save the drama for your mama
save the drama for your mama#English

Alternative form of save the drama for your mama.


ufeelme

Now Prince, i think realises that everyone knows of his genius leaving him nothing to prove...he worked for us for a long time non-stop, and now he wants chill chill chill...ufeelme

2001 May 21, KldpBurm [username], “Prince as a musician.........”, in alt.music.prince (Usenet):

Pronunciation spelling
pronunciation spelling

(African-American Vernacular) Pronunciation spelling of you feel me


Dear Sirs or Madams

dear Sir or Madam
dear Sir or Madam#English


a plague o' both your houses

Uttered by Mercutio in the William Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet.

a plague on both your houses (alternative)
a pox on both your houses (alternative)

Used to express displeasure at both sides of a pointless or long-running dispute.

Mercutio
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare


a pox on both your houses

a plague o' both your houses
a plague o' both your houses#English

Alternative form of a plague o' both your houses.


that's the tip

that's the ticket
that's the ticket#English

(UK, slang, obsolete) Synonym of that's the ticket.


all cry and no wool

more cry than wool
more cry than wool#English


can I smoke

Asks for permission to smoke (e.g. a cigarette).

タバコを吸ってもいいですか

タバコをすってもいいですか


I'll go to the foot of my stairs

I'll go to the foot of our stairs#English

Alternative form of I'll go to the foot of our stairs.


baseball, huh

In a comedy video posted by "al jokes" on YouTube, the person on the right asks a question, to which the person on the left replies "baseball", and the person on the right reacts "baseball, huh? that tracks"; the person on the left then asks what that phrase means, and the person on the right explains that it means "'that makes sense', 'that follows', 'obviously'", presumably explaining the meaning of "that tracks", but the person on the left gets confused and thinks that that is what "baseball, huh?" means, and uses it accordingly, to which the person on the right reacts "ye-, w-, no!, what?!". (Note: this summary leaves out some details that are less relevant to defining this phrase.) The top comment on the video, posted by @MazdaRX-7-FD, states 'Unironically "baseball huh?" Would be a hell of an inside joke', and it did indeed become an inside joke referenced in many comments and posts on social media.

that tracks, that makes sense, that follows, obviously (used as a reaction to hearing something expected, characteristic, or stereotypical)


have a good weekend

أَتَمَنَّى لَكَ نِهَايَةَ أُسْبُوع سَعِيدَة!

أَتَمَنَّى لَكِ نِهَايَةَ أُسْبُوع سَعِيدَة!


someone's headlights are on

Honey, your headlights are on.

(informal) Someone's nipples are erect, especially when conspicuous through clothing.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see someone's, headlights, are, on.


Bob's your father's brother

No need to faff around with books and all that malarkey. Just slap the disc into the drive, boot up Windows, and Bob’s your father’s brother. Welcome to the world of easy information.

1995 June, “Dr Spanner’s Bits ‘n’ PCs”, in David Upchurch, editor, PC Games, London: EMAP Images, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 107:

He’s got a key to Number 1 – he’s in there when she drives off – he walks along the back of the terrace – shoots Rachel James – goes back to Number 1 – rings up his own office number – waits for the answerphone pips – probably doesn’t say anything – just keeps the line open for a minute or two – and Bob’s your father’s brother.

1996 September 24, Colin Dexter, chapter 20, in Death Is Now My Neighbour (Inspector Morse; 12), London: Macmillan, →ISBN, page 112:

I mean, what are the chances of us having money to throw at that sort of job at the moment? This isn’t someone walking down the high street, same as they walked down it last Friday . . . cordon off an area, get a match for the person, couple of cameras, Bob’s your father’s brother.

2011, Susan Hill, chapter 21, in The Betrayal of Trust (Simon Serrailler; 6), London: Chatto & Windus, →ISBN, pages 123–124:

Bob's your uncle
Bob's your uncle#English


Robert's your mother's brother

Robert is your mother's brother (alternative)

To send a byte to the printer, Open the default channel to the printer port, and then send the byte to be printed out by using RST 10h in the usual manner, when you’ve finished, put the screen back as the defult^([sic]) channel, and Robert’s your mother’s brother.

1987 February, Rupert Goodwins, “Sinclair Surgery: Spectrum on the blink? Rupert Goodwins has a cure”, in David Kelly, editor, Sinclair User, number [59], London: EMAP Business & Computer Publications, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 101, column 3:

The hole, you see, grants access to an electric motor that drives the components that do the physical locking and unlocking. And clearly, if you can operate the motor quite independently of any code, why, then Robert’s your mother’s brother, and you have an easy way in.

2010, Chris Ewan, chapter 15, in The Good Thief’s Guide to Vegas (Good Thief’s Guide; 3), London: Pocket Books, →ISBN, page 130:

Jimmy and I can give you the intel and you just put a tail on the brothers next Thursday. If they visit the depot you’ll know they have the drugs. You follow them back to the minicab office and Robert’s your mother’s brother, as they say.

2015, Stephen Leather, Black Ops (Spider Shepherd; 12), London: Hodder & Stoughton, →ISBN, page 379:


Robert is your mother's brother

DO you know that the Kensington Goldsmiths Co. Ltd. have opened their premises at 22, Kensinsgton Church St. You will be surprised at their reasonable prices, & if you have gold or silver to sell, Robert is your mother’s brother.

1947 May 10, “Personal”, in Kensington Post & West London Star, number 5765, Kensington, →OCLC, page 6, column 8:

This last is the crucial point. If you can change the I register to point to your own routine, Robert is your mother’s brother. Cracking this is by no means easy, but there are plenty of books around that supply the information.

1984 September 15, “Routine Inquiries”, in Peter Worlock, editor, Personal Computer News, number 78, London: VNU Business Publications, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 10, column 3:

There are several merchant vessels in the harbour and I am sure one of them must be headed towards Sing City. All I have to do is explain that I am a monk of the brotherhood and Robert is your mother’s brother.

2015, Allan Boroughs, “You’re Supposed to Be Dead”, in Bloodstone, London: Macmillan Children’s Books, →ISBN, page 139:

Robert's your mother's brother
Robert's your mother's brother#English

Alternative form of Robert's your mother's brother.


Robert is your father's brother

I’ve also blocked an entire phone-in programme. It’s simple but you may need help. If you have a switchboard with about 10 lines, then Robert is your Father’s Brother! Most Radio Stations have only 7 or 8 lines. By telephoning the station and, as soon as the phone-in receptionist answers putting him on ‘hold’ you effectively put that line out of action.

1988, “Phone-In Chat Show Hosts”, in Victor Lewis Smith, Paul Sparks, editors, Loose Ends: The Book, London: Ebury Press, →ISBN, “Mrs Tribly’s Compleat and Gentlewoman’s Guide to Revenge Thorough” section, page 57, column 1:

As you might guess, Andy is no estate agent. But no matter: the giant parcel he sent me boasts that anyone can do the job. Shove the enclosed For Sale board in your garden, read the leaflets and save close to £1,500 in agents’ fees on an average home. He claims it has already worked for an £84,000 Abingdon house after pulling in 10 potential buyers in eight weeks. All you need is a bit of basic knowledge, an accurate price and Robert is your father’s brother.

1993 June 26, David Lawson, “Down-valuations are killing recovery”, in The Independent, number 2,086, London, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 37:

All I need to do now is write my novel, get a publishing contract and Robert is your father’s brother.

2004, Denise Ryan, “Epilogue”, in Blood Knot, London: Piatkus, →ISBN, page 372:

There’s this marvellous thing called the internet, Polly my love. You should try it. Get to know someone online. Do all the chat there, and then, if they agree to meet, well Robert is your father’s brother.

2014, Stephen May, “Polly”, in Wake Up Happy Every Day, London: Bloomsbury Circus, →ISBN, page 139:

Robert's your father's brother
Robert's your father's brother#English

Alternative form of Robert's your father's brother.


Robert's your uncle

They would send a man immediately, and if he could not get it open they would run us home! We left the telephone, walked up two small flights of stairs, and opened the front door as, believe it or not, the car with three policemen in it was just pulling up. I mention this amazing promptitude hoping that it will be a comfort to timorous souls whose tums turn over when things go bump in the night. A few words to the police, give the address first, and before you can say “Robert’s your uncle” there he is—stalwart two or three of him.

1949 February 19, Charles, “My Column”, in Bristol Evening Post, number 5,224, Bristol, →OCLC, page 2, columns 2–3:

When the $120,000 first mortgage came due in 1970, they managed to get it renewed for another five years and finally paid it off in 1975. Delta sold some portions of the land on the north side over the years, but retained enough to put up another office building, due to open this fall. And Robert’s your uncle. It’s easy when you know how — and if you’ve got the guts.

1976 September 25, Barry Conn Hughes, “How to build a hotel chain without any money: Delta did it with finesse”, in The Financial Post Magazine, Toronto, Ont.: Maclean-Hunter, →OCLC, page 48, column 3:

The overbearingly wealthy Yank had been so impressed with the demos flown from the home of Siren Records to the U.S.A. that he was grimly determined to catch the band in a live setting. All systems go, I mused. Grab a London saver, hitch-hike to the little-known Key Club and Robert’s your Uncle.

1985 October 10, Ian Ross, “Rock”, in Daily Post: The Paper for Wales, Wrexham, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 16, column 1:

Low on dosh? Just select Quest 7 (The Stone Hunter) and go straight to the exit. Do this a few times and Robert’s your uncle.

1991 October, Vicles, quotee, “Hero Quest”, in Andy Ide, editor, Your Sinclair, number 70, Bath, Somerset: Future Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 45, column 3:

Jimmy May definitely knows his tees from his teas as he’s given us a cheat to enter the fantasy zone (phwooarr!) in this great golf game. Firstly start a new game and then take 100 strokes on any hole without putting out on that hole. GAME OVER should soon appear. Now quickly press UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT and button A. And hey presto! Robert’s your uncle!

1992 February, Daniel Pemberton, “PG Tips”, in Paul Lakin, editor, Game Zone, number 4, London: Dennis Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 67, column 2:

My adventure began a couple of months ago when an invitation to the “inaugural” was extended to my girlfriend Leslie and I^([sic]) from my first cousin’s best friend’s ex-husband named Robert Deaton, who has been working with the Clinton administration since the early years in Little Rock. […] All we had to do was join the Arkansas Democratic Party ($100 each)[,] pay Robert a service fee ($100 each), reserve a five-night minimum stay at the Georgetown Mariott^([sic]) (way too much), reserve two inaugural ball tickets ($150) and Robert’s your uncle.

1997 January 26, Ron Goldman, “All I wanted to do was meet Bill [Clinton]”, in The Sunday Star, Toronto, Ont., →ISSN, →OCLC, page E1, column 5:

If I could come up to Manchester tomorrow, he’d pick me up at the station, take me to see a couple of third parties, and Robert’s your uncle. But there was, of course, one more thing to discuss: like how much, mate? I didn’t really know the going rate, so I let him tell me.

2000, Ken Lukowiak, “Home’s where the heart is”, in Marijuana Time: Join the Army, See the World, Meet Interesting People and Smoke All Their Dope, London: Orion Media, →ISBN, page 170:

It would be nice to know, for example, what jewelry he selected for his litter box. No self-respecting tabby with a two-grand bolt hole is going to back-squirt in some 10-buck plastic pan from Walmart. That we can be sure of. It’s a Birks box and a gold flush or Robert’s your uncle.

2019 January 5, Rex Murphy, “Much show, null impact: How the Liberal carbon tax is not unlike that $2,000 cat door”, in National Post, volume 21, number 59, Toronto, Ont.: National Post, →ISSN, →OCLC, page A10, column 3:


Robert is your uncle

“You understand, Commandant,” he said darkly, “that your offence might have had serious consequences?” / “I do, sir.” / “Well!” said Duroc. “Then I forget it.” Yet his wrath boiled over. “But here is an end, Commandant. We will have no more of this, burn me, or Robert is your uncle!”

1952, Carter Dickson [pseudonym; John Dickson Carr], chapter 4, in Behind the Crimson Blind: Another Adventure of Sir Henry Merrivale (Sir Henry Merrivale; 21), New York, N.Y.: William Morrow and Company, →OCLC, pages 34–35:

“[…] So I slips in and ’as a moniker at the safe. So when I takes you in, we ’ave the place to ourselves. I knows the safe, so—” He opened his hands expressively. / “So Robert is your uncle!” Pontivy finished the sentence for him.

1967, Bernard Newman, chapter 5, in Draw the Dragon’s Teeth, London: Robert Hale, →OCLC, page 37:

TO Dun Laoghaire, to have photographs taken so that I may go by train through eastern Europe, come September. In the shopping centre, there is a booth which looks not unlike a confessional. You sit, put coins in a slot, and Robert is your uncle.

1986 July 20, Hugh Leonard, “Hugh Leonard’s Log: A fourpenny rush of blood to the head”, in Sunday Independent, volume 86, number 29, Dublin, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 9, column 3:

Robert's your uncle
Robert's your uncle#English

Alternative form of Robert's your uncle.


Bob is your uncle

Every year, towards the end of the festival week, he stages a barbecue. One pound fifty a go. Most of the dancing and folk-singing people attend, by now it is almost traditional. His two or three instructors stand by, and those who fancy a flip pay on the spot and Bob is your uncle. Quite profitable.

1986, Jack Scott, chapter 17, in A Knife Between the Ribs (Alf Rosher; 10), London: The Crime Club, →ISBN, page 149:

You tell those kids, you say to them, I don’t see so good no more, I need you to do things for me, and Bob is your uncle! They are only too happy. They are not bad children; only they have to know what is wrong.

1986, Jean Gregory, chapter 12, in Love Beyond All Telling, London: Corgi Books, →ISBN, page 228:

Of course the real enthusiast makes his own orderly room date stamp. One needs to be reasonably efficient at lino cuttings. (I was taught it by our handicraft instructor.) A variable date stamp cost 5/6 at any Smiths and when fitted into your lino cut, Bob is your uncle.

1991, Tom Elder, “Leave without Absence”, in The Elder Tree: Memorabilia of a Traditional Tyneside Family, Edinburgh: The Pentland Press Ltd, →ISBN, page 99:


Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt

Vera introduced us, and Boris was interested to hear I was a masseur. He mentioned that he had gotten a massage several times a week when he was in Hollywood—so, before you could say “Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt,” yours truly offered the man who had made more people shiver and shake than any man alive a massage on the house.

1972 August 2, Arthur Mason, “Ol’ Magic Fingers: Karloff Was ‘Nicest Gent of Them All’”, in Oregon Journal, Portland, Ore., →OCLC, section 2 (Home and Family), page 1, column 2:

The magic hare, of course, didn’t have to bother with all this. If he wanted to go somewhere, he just wished himself there, and Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt, there he was.

1993, Lynne Reid Banks, “The Hare and the Vampire”, in The Magic Hare, New York, N.Y.: Morrow Junior Books, →ISBN, page 19:

Pack your bags, take ’em outside and if Billy-Joe wakes up when you go for the keys, just tell him you wanted to go to the chip-shop because you couldn’t be bothered to cook tonight. He’ll believe that and give you the keys, you go outside, unlock the car, put the bags in and drive off. Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt. No problem, as they say in Europe.

1996, Steve Harris, “Billy-Joe’s Demise”, in Black Rock, London: Victor Gollancz, →ISBN, page 197:

Now this is a ‘naughty but nice’ cream. It is great on the side with baked fruit, but also useful as a filling for those last-minute fruit tarts. Just fill a pastry case with it, cover with fruit, give it a quick glaze if you like (1 tablespoon jam and 1 tablespoon water warmed in a pan) and Bob’s your uncle and Fanny’s your aunt.

1999, Jamie Oliver, “Mascarpone Cream”, in The Naked Chef, London: Michael Joseph, →ISBN, “Desserts” section, page 201:

Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt#English

Alternative form of Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt.


somebody's in here

A phrase typically called out to alert someone that a bathroom or other private space is currently occupied, usually to prevent them from opening the door or entering.


tftc

Alternative form: TFTC

Nice beginning tftc

2022 August 30, Ogoun, “Chapter One: The Bank - Force Majeure: A web novel [Progression Fantasy]”, in Royal Road, archived from the original on 2025-04-14:

(Internet slang) Initialism of thanks for the chapter, used in online fiction sites.

(geocaching) Initialism of thanks for the cache.


not feeling it

(colloquial) Not feeling motivation or enjoyment with regard to something.


don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining

don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining#English

Alternative form of don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.


don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining

(colloquial, vulgar) Don't tell me obvious lies.


that ain't hay

It is estimated that his income from extra-curricular duties (including book royalties) at least tripled the pay he received from the AMA ($24,000 per year). That, as the man says, ain't hay.

1956, Harry M. Hoxsey, You Don't Have to Die, page 122:

(colloquial) That is insignificant or irrelevant.


who took the jam out of your doughnut

rhetorical question
rhetorical question#English

(colloquial, derogatory) A rhetorical question in response to a person behaving in a grumpy or mean way.


though I say it who should not

though I say it who should not say it (alternative)

We do our own work for ourselves; and do it very well, though I say it who should not.

1863, Charles Kingsley, The Water Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby:

(idiomatic) Appended to a statement of self-praise, as a form of modest apology.


though I say it who should not say it

though I say it who should not
though I say it who should not#English

Alternative form of though I say it who should not.


I fear

She ate, I fear.

I fear the movie sucked.

(slang) Used for dramatic effect or emphasis.

I fear that I was rude to her.

I fear that her business will fail.

I fear spiders.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see I, fear.


got the morbs

I've got the morbs

(Victorian slang, archaic) To feel temporary melancholy or sadness.


DFMA

design for manufacturing and assembly#English

(production) Initialism of design for manufacturing and assembly.