what you see is what you get

Originally a humorous allusion to a catchphrase popularized by the comedian Flip Wilson on American TV in the 1960s.

What you see is what you get. No one's been disappointed yet.

With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get[…]

1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page vii:

Sonic: What you see is what you get! Just a guy that loves adventure! I’m Sonic the Hedgehog!

2001 June 23, Sonic Team USA, Sonic Adventure 2, Sega, published 2001:

For:Word, like Wang's editing system, is an early approach to a what-you-see-is-what-you-get word processor.

(idiomatic, computing) The screen image resembles the printed output.

所見即所得 /所见即所得

(idiomatic, computing) the screen image resembles the printed output


head

you don't dip your pen in the company inkwell

you don't dip your pen in company ink#English

Alternative form of you don't dip your pen in company ink.


weapons tight

(military) An order that weapons may only be fired at targets (especially aircraft or missiles) that are positively identified as hostile.


weapons free

(military) An order that weapons may be fired at targets (especially aircraft or missiles) that are not positively identified as friendly.


weapons hold

(military) An order that weapons may be fired at targets (especially aircraft or missiles) only when under attack, or in response to a formal order.


in the driver's seat

(idiomatic) Having the most important role in a storyline or recognition. Of primary importance.

That can increase efficiency (when the suggestion is indeed what you had in mind) and spark new ideas (when the suggestion isn’t quite what you had in mind), while keeping the human user in the driver’s seat.

2025 June 24, Tim Wu, “A.I. Doesn’t Have to Mean a ‘White-Collar Blood Bath’ of Job Loss”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 2025-06-24:

(idiomatic) In control of an entity or situation.


before you can say Jack Robinson

Uncertain. There is some speculation that this is a reference to Sir John Robinson, the Lieutenant of the Tower of London from 1660 to 1680 and Lord Mayor of London in 1662, but there is nothing known about him that is associated with speed (Samuel Pepys called him as “a talking bragging bufflehead.”), and the phrase does not appear in print until 1778.

You have to be careful in that area. They'll have your wallet before you can say Jack Robinson.

To men so generally enlightened as our colonial masters are, we should rather feel ourselves indebted for a rebuke than presume to offer one; and yet a vessel vanishes; she's out of sight before you can say Jack Robinson; and the master prefers travelling with such of his crew as have abstained from joining the marauders, three or four hundred miles a foot, because he has no other mode of travelling, with the express design of telling his employer that he is completely ruined.

1819 March 27, The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, page 3, column 2:

And if you see a sign of anyone being about the place, — living, or dead, or anyhow — you give me a yell. I shall be on the lookout, and I’ll be with you before you can say Jack Robinson.’

Father is seated inside the carriage before you can say Jack Robinson.

2002, Michel Faber, The Crimson Petal and the White, Canongate Books (2010), page 772:


there isn't any easy way to say this

there's no easy way to say this (alternative)

ezt nem tudom elég kíméletesen megfogalmazni


so crazy it just might work

so crazy it might just work (alternative)

(informal) Possibly feasible though unconventional; plausible and previously unconsidered as a course of action.


BFI

Initialism of brace for impact (“a common warning from United States military units to infer a warning to brace themselves”).


have been around the block

A no-nonsense, goal-oriented woman who's been around the block and lived to tell the tale.

2002, Jürgen Müller, Movies of the 80s, Taschen, →ISBN, page 122:

We both knew Cypress had been around the block a few times. He had been a serious manwhore and only got his shit together when he found Bree.

2017, E. L. Todd, 400 First Kisses, New York, NY.: Hartwick Publishing, →ISBN, page 65:

(figurative) to have had much sex with many people, as if one has had sex with everyone on the block.


exsqueeze me

And a bit of peace and quiet to eat it in, after all the din, ken. I picked up my tea and walked away. Exsqueeze me for breathing! Ronaldson said behind me.

Exsqueeze me, but saying I don't have much to go on is a ridiculous understatement. Give me something to think about, Sel.

Oooh, exsqueeze me! What are those guys, totally clueless? We're supposed to get all hot and bothered over Massachusetts?

2003, Mary-Ann Tirone Smith, She's Not There:

“I mean, I personally don't mind the Irish. But I just don't like it when they try to sound intelligent.” “Huh, wow. I could listen to you talk for hours.” “Exsqueeze me?” “I mean, not to what you're saying, but to that accent. It's just so specific. Where are you from?”

2023 August 10, Sam Johnson & Chris Marcil, “Urgent Care” (11:17 from the start), in What We Do in the Shadows, season 5, episode 6, spoken by Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch):

[bell rings] “And chug!” [belches] “Well, ex-squeeze me.” “I love drunk Beef. Give him another shot, Pam.” “Gladly. You still got it, Beef.”

2024 April 14, Kit Boss, “A Chug's Life Adventure” (12:53 from the start), in The Great North, season 4, episode 10, spoken by Beef Tobin (Nick Offerman):


same to you

Jack: “Merry Christmas, Bob.” / Bob: “Same to you, Jack.”

“Go to hell, bozo!” – “Same to you, fella!”

I wish to you what you have just wished to me.


same here

"I can't come to the picnic this weekend, because I'm looking after the kids." / "Same here. We're going to the reservoir."

"I can't get onto the network." / "Same here."

"The gas gauge shows empty." / "Same here."

I agree; I am in the same situation; I have had or am having the same experience or perception.


what's it to you

"I saw you in the chemist yesterday, what did you buy?" / "What's it to you?"

(defensively) Why are you asking? Why do you want to know?

¿quién te ha dado vela en este entierro?

hỏi để làm gì?/biết để làm gì?/không cần phải biết

"Hey, leave that girl alone." / "'What's it to you'?"

Mind your own business
mind one's own business

none of your business
none of your business

Mind your own business; it's none of your business.


do you know who I am

An arrogant expression of one's importance.


fuck you, Jack, I'm alright

Early 20th-century sailors' slang, popularized during the First World War.

fuck you, Jack, I'm all right (alternative)
I'm alright, Jack (alternative)
I'm all right, Jack (alternative)
I'm alright and fuck you Jack (alternative)

(slang, vulgar, offensive) Used to epitomize arrogance and selfishness, with dismissive disregard of others.


every good boy deserves fudge

every good boy deserves favor (alternative)
every good boy deserves favour (alternative)
every good boy deserves food (alternative)
every good boy deserves fun (alternative)
every good boy does fine (alternative)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-every good boy deserves fudge.wav

(music, mnemonic) A mnemonic phrase to help remember the order of the five lines on a musical treble stave in order from the bottom to the top: E G B D F.


Richard of York gave battle in vain

(mnemonic) A mnemonic phrase to help remember the order of the seven colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.


pull the other one

pull the other one, it's got bells on#English

Alternative form of pull the other one, it's got bells on.


pull the other one, it's got brass bells on


my very educated mother just served us nine pumpkins

From the initial letters of the names of the eight planets, plus Pluto, formerly considered a planet.

(astronomy, slightly dated, mnemonic) Used to remember the order and names of the (then) nine planets of the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.

mein Vater erklärt mir jeden Sonntag unsere neun Planeten

my very educated mother just served us nine pizzas

my very educated mother just served us nachos

my very educated mother just served us noodles


short of

He tried everything short of lending her the money himself.

Short of a miracle, nothing/little short of kneeling before your boss will do.

Except; but; without resorting to; up to the point of.

He's a nice person, but a bit short of brains.

brakować (used in the third person neuter, the person lacking in the dative)

An Olympic athlete cannot perform at any level short of world-class.


what it is

Possibly a combination of what up with how goes it and similar phrases. First use appears c. 1972. See cite below.

Mrs. Franklin breaks her embrace, begins running water into the sink to wash dishes...What it is, baby. What it is.

"What it is?" David greeted me.

1997, April Sinclair, Ain't Gonna be the Same Fool Twice, HarperCollins, →ISBN, page 181:

A boy broke out of the crowd shouting, "Hey! Hey! What it is, brothers, what it is?"

2001, Chris Fuhrman, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, University of Georgia Press, →ISBN, page 162:

"What it is, my niggaz?" Hollywood gave True a pound then jerked him in for a hug.

2007, K'wan, Still Hood, Macmillan, →ISBN, page 87:

(slang, African-American Vernacular) A casual greeting.


go jump in the lake

go (alternative)
jump in a lake (alternative)

When I asked for help cleaning the mess I made, the janitor told me to go jump in the lake, but he was only joking.

... to sell it to the Mond or the International Nickel Company, and if they didn't choose to take it from us, they would tell us to go jump in the lake.

1917, Ontario. Royal Nickel Commission, George Thomas Holloway, Report of the Royal Ontario Nickel Commission: with appendix, page 22:

We would tell the USSR to go jump in the lake. There would be no way we would tolerate that.

1985, Australia. Parliament. Senate, Parliamentary debates, Senate, weekly Hansard, Issue 10, page 193:

(idiomatic, derogatory, colloquial, often sarcastic) Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.


a/s/l

Alternative form of asl (“age, sex, location”).


kmt

Alternative form: KMT

I get 4 spliff max out a 3.5 kmt [image caption]

2020 October 13, @_OsoSandro11, Twitter:

kissing my teeth
kissing my teeth#English

(Internet slang, text messaging, Caribbean, MLE, MTE) Initialism of kissing my teeth: used to express disapproval, annoyance, or frustration.


(Internet, slang) Initialism of message to all friend, used on messages to all users in a friends list of services with strict character limits on said messages.


now hear this

(US Navy) An instruction to cease activity and listen to the announcement that will follow.


there oughta be a law

Pronunciation spelling
pronunciation spelling

there ought to be a law
there ought to be a law#English

Pronunciation spelling of there ought to be a law.


here's to

Cheers! Here's to our future, and here's to absent friends!

So ‘ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
You're a pore benighted ‘eathen but a first-class fightin’ man;
An’ ‘ere’s to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, with your ‘ayrick 'ead of ‘air—
You big black boundin’ beggar—for you broke a British square!

And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know
Whoa, whoa, whoa

1968 April 5, Paul Simon, “Mrs. Robinson”, in Bookends, performed by Simon & Garfunkel:

(idiomatic) A phrase used before drinking a toast.


size matters

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-size matters.wav

(humorous) Used to assert the opinion that sexual partners prefer men with larger penises, or that penis size has an effect on the quality of an act of intercourse.

it's not the size of the ship, it's the motion of the ocean


written all over someone's face

En-au-written all over someone's face.ogg

(idiomatic, of an emotion) Very obvious, from someone's facial expression.

nähdä naamasta

very obvious, from someone's facial expression


that's what I'm talking about

Daisy Mae just says that the Fiendo-Monster wanted to be sure everybody could see his whole face so he shaved off his mustache.
[Larry] There! That's what I'm talking about. When he turns around he's going to look like me.

1954, Jean Kerr with Eleanor Brooke, King of hearts, page 32:

Yeah, you know what I'm talking 'bout / Yeah, get on with it, baby / That's what I'm talking 'bout / Now dig this!

1967, “Fire”, in Jimi Hendrix (music), Are You Experienced:

[Sister Moore] Is she been trying to serve the Lord? Or is she just wanted to put herself up over everybody else?
[Brother Boxer] Now, that's what I'm talking about. The Word say, You going to know a tree by it's fruit. And we ain't been seeing such good fruit from Sister Margaret.

1968, James Baldwin, The Amen Corner, page 46:

(slang, orignally, African-American Vernacular) Used to express enthusiastic support for an object or person that has just been referenced or for an event that has just occurred.


in for a penny

in for a penny, in for a pound
in for a penny, in for a pound#English

Ellipsis of in for a penny, in for a pound.


IMDG

In majorem Dei gloriam: to the greater glory of God.


my country, right or wrong

Originally Stephen Decatur, in an after-dinner toast of 1816–1820:
: “Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but right or wrong, our country!”
Often attributed to Carl Schurz, who in a speech in 1872 amended it as
: “My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”


you know what

Well, you know what, he's got a cloud over him. You have to live with who you are and make your peace with your maker about what you really are.

2001 May 10, "Blake's Attorney on Bakley's Murder", CNN Live (transcript)

Well, I guess I’ve got to say, I love the Madonna one that we did — the Drowned world tour. Actually, you know what? The first Blonde Ambition tour I loved. The “Vogue” thing — that was a memorable moment in my lifetime.

2009 March 23, Alex Hawgood, “The Three-Ring Circus”, in New York Times:

(idiomatic) Used, often as a question, to get someone's attention before announcing something.


TINA

Acronym of there is no alternative, a political slogan of Margaret Thatcher, promoting liberal capitalism.


PICNIC

Inspiration also comes from the workers who take care of the workers. Ever reported a picnic error to the IT helpdesk? No? Well they're logging them. It stands for a problem in chair, not in computer error among hapless colleagues.

2006 November, Claire Heald, “Let's help to herd the dinosaurs”, in BBC News:

(humorous) Acronym of problem in chair, not in computer: states that the problem was not in the computer but was instead caused by the user operating it.


suffice it to say

Optative clause with the verb suffice in the present subjunctive form, thus “may it be sufficient to say”.

Suffice it to say that we will not be buying you any more cars in the future.

There are different theories as to what may have happened precisely. Suffice it to say that we’ve never seen him again.

Suffice it to say, that we did, after incredible hardships and privations, reach the Zambesi, which proved to be about a hundred and seventy miles south of where Billali left us.

1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:

Xeltan: I cannot speak more about this problem; it is too sensitive. Suffice it to say, she has compromised my authority as a diplomat.

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel:

An introduction to a statement that will be brief, indicating that further discussion would be futile, too lengthy, too private, etc.


suffice to say

suffice it to say
suffice it to say#English


SYNT

see you next Tuesday
see you next Tuesday#English


MtF

(chiefly military) Initialism of more to follow.


I'm rubber, you're glue

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-I'm rubber, you're glue.wav

Likely from a longer phrase, "I'm rubber, you're glue; whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you".

I am rubber, you are glue (alternative)
I'm rubber and you're glue (alternative)

“You’re nothing but a — a cheat,” Florence said.
“I’m rubber, you’re glue, everything you say sticks right back to you,” John said calmly, complete master with all the answers.

1948, Daniel Curley, “A Deal in Cards”, in The Atlantic Magazine, volume 181, Atlantic Monthly Co., page 61:

Few anticommunist accusations are more trite than that Marxism is a religion, the Manifesto a religious tract and Marx himself[…] a ‘religious eschatologist’. At a banal level, to many of the accusers can be said in retort: I am rubber, you are glue.

2022, China Miéville, chapter 6, in A Spectre, Haunting: On the Communist Manifesto, →OCLC:

And in the 2016 campaign, Mr. Trump applied the “I’m rubber, you’re glue” approach to a wide range of vulnerabilities.

2024 January 10, Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, “One of Trump’s Oldest Tactics in Business and Politics: I’m Rubber. You’re Glue.”, in The New York Times:

(childish) Countering an attack on one's character.

was du sagst, bist du selbst, wenn du deine Klappe hältst

הַכֹּל חוֹזֵר אֵלֶיךָ וְקָקָה בְּיָדֶיךָ

Specchio riflesso se ti muovi sei un cesso

kto pérvyj obzyvájetsja, tot tak i nazyvájetsja

кто пе́рвый обзыва́ется, тот так и называ́ется


WTG

(Internet slang) Initialism of way to go (“expression of approval”).


FTS

(Internet slang, vulgar) Initialism of fuck this shit.


and the horse you rode in on

"Don't threaten me," I told him.
"Fuck you and the horse you rode in on![…]"

1972, Kirkwood, James, 1930-1989, P.S. your cat is dead! A novel:


too bad, so sad

Parents will have to be told what they need and then informed that, too bad, so sad, the needed service will not be developed until their child is too old for it anyway.

1971, Reginald Lanier Jones, Problems and issues in the education of exceptional children, page 69:

In short, too bad. So sad. we've got your money, and you've been had.

They just say 'too bad, so sad, bye bye.' And it is too bad, cause maybe they weren't being jerks or we could solve the problem easily.

1999, Richard Alan Goodman, Modern organizations and emerging conundrums, page 172:


I do

They'd been pushing for me to get pregnant ever since I said "I do." And now that I was, do you think they were happy? No way.

2003, Joanne Kimes, Sanford A. Tisherman, Pregnancy Sucks: What to Do when Your Miracle Makes you Miserable, →ISBN, page 101:

When she said ‘I do’ at the altar she was deemed to have made herself sexually available to her husband whenever he might wish.

2008, Mary Holmes, Gender and Everyday Life, →ISBN, page 75:

A traditional phrase said by each of the prospective spouses during a wedding ceremony in order to accept the marriage.

我愿意

traditional phrase said upon acceptance of marriage

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


how's it going

Oh, hi, Pete. How’s it going? — Hi, Anna. It’s going great. How’s it going with you? — Things are awesome!

2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)


daf

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of dumb as fuck.


rest his soul

rest her soul (alternative)
rest their souls (alternative)

(idiomatic) Used parenthetically to mark the referent as being deceased


CMV

(Internet slang) Initialism of change my view.


mi casa, su casa

/ˈmiː ˌkɑːsə ˈsuː ˌkɑːsə/

From the Spanish mi casa es su casa (“make yourself at home”, literally “my house is your house”).

bor

Girl, why is you lying? Girl, why you Mufasa? / Yeah, mi casa su casa, got a strip there like Gaza / Got so high off volcanoes, now the flow is so lava

2013, Childish Gambino, “V. 3005”, in Because the Internet, Glassnote Records:

Udo's entire body still itched. "We look like homeless people."

2023 September 22, HarryBlank, “Off Track”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 2024-05-25:

What is mine is yours; a friendly expression of sharing.


dyor

Coined by conspiracy theorist Milton William Cooper

(informal) Initialism of do your own research.


IAWTP

(Internet slang) Initialism of I agree with this post.


ymts

ymts there might be legal repercussions […] ?

2008 August 19, ppint. at pplay, “Re: Resolved: Splitting the Editor Hugo was a mistake”, in rec.arts.sf.written (Usenet):

(Internet slang) Initialism of you mean to say.


CCW

(US, firearms) Initialism of carrying a concealed weapon.


enough is enough

/ɪˌnʌf‿ɪz ɪˈnʌf/

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-enough is enough.wav

Compare Dutch genoeg is genoeg, German genug ist genug, Yiddish גענוג איז גענוג (genug iz genug, “enough is enough”).

cog

גענוג איז גענוג

Here is enough, I am satisfied, (sayd he). / Since enough is enough, (sayd I), here may we / With that one word take end good, as may be geast: / For folke say, enough is as good as a feast.

1546, John Heywood, chapter XI, in Julian Sharman, editor, The Proverbs of John Heywood. […], London: George Bell and Sons, […], published 1874, →OCLC, part II, page 173:

Learning is better than house or land. As for money, enough is enough; no man can enjoy more; and the less he can be contented with the wiser and better he is likely to be.

1834, Robert Southey, “Chapter XX. P.I. How to Make Gold.”, in The Doctor, &c., volume I, London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, →OCLC, page 199:

"Are n't you going to get any more while we have the chance?" grumbled Reddy. "Enough is enough," retorted Granny.

1920, Thornton W[aldo] Burgess, “A Dinner for Two”, in Old Granny Fox, New York, N.Y.: Grosset & Dunlap, →OCLC, page 173:

Other administration officials have hinted the dollar may have to fall further, but President [Ronald] Reagan says enough is enough. "We're not doing anything to bring it down," Reagan said Tuesday in comments that sparked a slight dollar rally. "I don't look for a further decline, don't want a further decline from where it is right now."

1987 November 11, “Reagan on dollar fall: ‘Enough is enough’”, in Southeast Missourian, volume 83, number 342, Cape Girardeau, Mo.: Rust Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 1, column 3:

One should be satisfied; nothing additional is required.

liika on liikaa

one should be satisfied; nothing additional is required

With every new indignity served upon the United States by the fanatical Fidel Castro comes an immediate, and lasting, impulse to declare that enough is enough.

1961 January 4, Lee Mortimer, “Why not sever all Cuban ties?”, in Glen O. Long, editor, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, volume 71, number 2, Spartanburg, S.C.: Phil Buchheit, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 4, column 2:

“I want a crime bill that grabs violent criminals by the throat,” Mr. [Phil] Gramm said. […] “I am for rehabilitation. But there reaches a point where you've got to say, ‘Enough is enough.’”

1994 January 22, Richard L. Berke, “G.O.P. sees crime as a major issue”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-09-11, section 1, page 9:

What message are we sending our children? That they are not worthy of a basic & simple infrastructure. That they cannot be allowed the freedom to dream of a better way of learning, and a better way of life? […] Enough is enough! It is time for decisive leadership and immediate action.

2013 September 25, Desmond Tutu, “Every Child Deserves a Quality Education”, in Forbes, New York, N.Y.: Forbes, Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-09-11:

The "continued exclusion of Taiwan from the UN system is not only unwise, unjust and unfair, but also is a blatant violation of the principles of universality and self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter, and must be rectified immediately," they [organizations representing overseas Taiwanese communities] said. "The time is now for the United Nations and the rest of the world to jointly stand up against China and its lawless and out-of-control bullying of Taiwan," they said, adding: "Enough is Enough."

2022 September 11, Lee Hsin-fang, Jonathan Chin, “Letter calls for Taiwan’s UN inclusion”, in Taipei Times, Taipei, Taiwan: The Liberty Times Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-09-11, page 1:

On behalf of all the long-suffering passengers on the West Coast Main Line, enough is enough. Avanti needs to be put out of its misery … and soon.

2023 February 22, Tom Harmon, “Open Access: Time for Action on Resolving Avanti’s West Coast Woes”, in Rail, number 977, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 62:

Especially as an expression of exasperation: the limit of patience or tolerance has been reached.


DYSWIDT

Possibly from a catchphrase of British comedians Lee and Herring.

(Internet, informal) Initialism of do you see what I did there?: (used ironically to draw attention to wordplay, etc.)


and shit

It's this really funky artiste-type hang out. Dark. Very intellectual and shit. I was impressed.

1997 Winter, Kym Moore, “The Date”, in African American Review, volume 31, number 4, page 639:

(slang, vulgar, idiomatic, originally African-American Vernacular) Used after one or more listed objects, attributes or processes to indicate additional others.


am I right or am I right

And next to Rosa is Mont Charre, which is great, but just a hair less great than Rosa, am I right or am I right?

1974, William Goldman, Marathon Man, Delacorte Press:

There are songs to sing, there are feelings to feel, there are thoughts to think. That makes three things, and you can't do three things at the same time. The singing is easy, syrup in my mouth, and the thinking comes with the tune, so that leaves only the feelings. Am I right, or am I right? I can sing the singing. I can think the thinking. But you're not going to catch me feeling the feeling. No, sir.

What I love about this country is that: its genius. Greatest inventors in the world. It's beautiful: am I right or am I right?

1988, Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses:

Do you have life insurance, Phil? Because if you do, you could always use a little more, right? I mean, who couldn't? But you wanna know something? I got the feeling ... [whistles] ... you ain't got any. Am I right or am I right? Or am I right? Am I right?

You take your ileum as Wallace Stevens/and you take my ileum/as Gordon Lish,/am I right or am I right?

1999, Gordon Lish, "Aubade", Salmagundi, No. 121/122 (Winter-Spring 1999), p. 201

Customerize the company! Am I right or am I right? For forty years or thereabouts, marketers have worshipped at the feet of the customer.

2004, Stephen Brown, Free Gift Inside!!: Forget the Customer. Develop Marketease, page 7:

(colloquial, rhetorical question) Alternative form of am I right, implying the speaker can't possibly be wrong.


LMNO

(Internet slang, text messaging, possibly vulgar) Initialism of laughing my nuts off; used to indicate great amusement.


there you have it

- But how could the burglar have scaled a twenty-foot wall without a ladder?

- There you have it. That's what has the police confused.

(idiomatic) That is it; that is the situation or state of things.

että sellaista

that is it, that is the situation or state of things

(idiomatic) Used to introduce a speaker's interpretation of what has just transpired or been described


if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle

"We would have won the match if we'd had a decent goalkeeper."
"And if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle!"

(colloquial, vulgar, humorous) It is fruitless to speculate about counterfactual situations.

kdyby byly v prdeli ryby, nemusely by být rybníky

als mijn tante wieltjes had, dan was ze een locomotief

jos tädillä ois munat, niin täti olis setä

si ma tante en avait, on l'appellerait mon oncle

avec des si on mettrait Paris en bouteille

se mê none a vêve i cojons, o vêvi trê nonos

wenn das Wörtchen „wenn“ nicht wär, wär mein Vater Millionär

wenn der Hund nicht geschissen hätte, hätte er den Hasen gefangen

hätte der Hund nicht geschissen, hätte er den Hasen gefangen

αν η γιαγιά μου είχε αρχίδια θα τη φώναζα παππού (an i giagiá mou eíche archídia tha ti fónaza pappoú, literally “if my granny had balls, I'd call her grandpa”)

αν η γιαγιά μου είχε καρούλια, θα ήταν πατίνι (an i giagiá mou eíche karoúlia, tha ítan patíni, literally “if my granny had reels, she'd be a roller-skate”)

se mia nonna avesse le ruote, sarebbe una carriola

gdyby babcia miała wąsy, toby była dziadkiem

dacă baba avea un coi, era ministru de război

е́сли бы да кабы́ во рту́ вы́росли грибы́, то был бы не рот, а це́лый огоро́д (jésli by da kabý vo rtú výrosli gribý, to byl by ne rot, a célyj ogoród, literally “if and when mushrooms would grow in the mouth, it would not be a mouth but a whole garden”)

е́сли бы у ба́бушки был хуй, то она́ была́ бы де́душкой (jésli by u bábuški byl xuj, to oná bylá by déduškoj, literally “if the granny had a cock, she'd be the grandpa”)

si mi abuela tuviera ruedas, sería una bicicleta

se me nona gavesse le ròde, la sarìa na cariòla

ווען די באָבע וואָלט געהאַט רעדער, וואָלט זי געווען אַ טראָלייבוס (ven di bobe volt gehat reder, volt zi geven a troleybus, literally “if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a trolleybus”)

if my grandmother had balls, she'd be my granddad

if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a bike

if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a streetcar

if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon

if my sister had balls, she'd be my brother

if my uncle had a fanny, he'd be my aunt

if wishes were horses, beggars would ride

if we had ham we could have ham and eggs, if we had eggs


SWT

From Arabic سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى (subḥānahu wataʕālā, “glorious and exalted is He”), honorific placed after the name of God (Allah) in Islamic texts.

der

سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى

Subhanahu wa-ta'ala
subhanahu wa-ta'ala#English

(Islam) Initialism of Subhanahu wa-ta'ala.


the rabbit died

Robin finally was able to announce: "Good news! The rabbit died!" She said she was thrilled and that everybody was happy for her except her mother.

1993, Maurice Apprey, Intersubjectivity, Projective Identification, and Otherness, page 153:

(idiomatic, euphemistic) Indicates one's own pregnancy, or that someone has found out they are pregnant.


tail between one's legs

From the body posture of a dog that is worried or frightened.

He came back home, tail between his legs.

"I wouldn't do that," said Mrs. MacAndrew. "I'd give him all the rope he wants. He'll come back with his tail between his legs and settle down again quite comfortably."

1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, chapter XV, in The Moon and Sixpence, [New York, N.Y.]: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers […], →OCLC:

After 11 seasons set in Seattle[…] Frasier is returning to Boston, to reconquer his old Cheers-era stomping ground. “He left with his tail between his legs a little bit,” Grammer said in a recent interview.

2023 February 27, Elle Hunt, quoting Kelsey Grammer, “‘Don’t make Frasier best friends with Elon Musk!’ Writers and comics offer their reboot tips”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Defeated; in a cowardly or miserable manner.

de staart tussen de benen

defeated; in a cowardly or miserable manner

Oft haue I ſeene a hot ore-weening Curre / Run backe and bite, becauſe he was with-held, / Who being ſuffer'd with the Beares fell paw, / Hath clapt his taile, between his legges and cride,

1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 144:

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tail, between, one's, legs.


to be honest

I don't mind, to be honest.

To be honest, he has a bit of a body odor problem, but we haven't yet had an opportunity to tell him gently and privately.

(idiomatic, sentence adverb) Frankly, honestly.

I tried to be honest but still no one believed me.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see to, be, honest.


no offense

Ellipsis of I mean no offense or no offense meant.


FIGMO

Initialism. The forget it usage is likely a retronym, coined to avoid using the profanity fuck.

(military, slang, vulgar) Acronym of fuck it, got my orders.

(military, slang, euphemistic) Acronym of forget it, got my orders.


you can't say fairer than that

/juː ˈkɑːnt seɪ ˈfɛəɹə ðn̩ ˌðæt/

/ju ˈkænt seɪ ˈfɛəɹəɹ ðən ˌðæt/

En-au-you can't say fairer than that.ogg

An informal way of expressing that one cannot say that anything is better or more fair than the matter being evaluated.

(British, idiomatic, informal) That is fair, good, or reasonable; one cannot hope for a better decision or outcome.

bolje ne može

that is fair, good or reasonable; one cannot hope for a better decision or outcome


may the Force be with you

From the Star Wars film franchise, in which "the Force" is an omnipresent energy that can influence events and may be harnessed by gifted individuals.

What thoughts are you sending into the universe? Are they seeking the results you want, or are they attracting the things you don’t? The mental sharks will be drawn to you as surely as the results you desire. To be certain, be aware of the messages you are sending, and may the Force be with you, whatever you conceive it to be!

2007, Layton Park, Get Out of Your Way: Unlocking the Power of Your Mind to Get What You Want, 1st edition, Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 87:

(idiomatic) Used to wish someone luck with a difficult endeavor.


in order for

To indicate a possible consequence of an event or action.

żeby

to indicate a possible consequence of an event or action


I believe you, thousands wouldn't

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-I believe you, thousands wouldn't.wav

You weren't working on germ warfare five years ago." "Non-lethal," she cries. "Oh, how you can not see." "Well, I believe you, thousands wouldn't[…]

2004, Sandra Newman, The Only Good Thing Anyone Has Ever Done: A Novel, →ISBN, page 185:

(British, Ireland, sarcastic) Used to indicate that the speaker does not put faith in something they have just heard.


tell you the truth

"What's the point? Your buddies can kick back and relax. I'm going into voluntary retirement." / "Oh?" / "Tell you the truth, I was getting a little tired of Jim Shorter. Tired of that little room on Ninety-fourth Street. You know what I might do? I might leave town."

1994, Lawrence Block, A Long Line of Dead Men:

(idiomatic, informal) Used to positively assert the frank honesty of an associated statement of set of statements; equivalent to "to you tell the truth".

frankly

used to assert frank honesty of statement


obo

(colloquial) Alternative letter-case form of OBO: or best offer


I don't speak English

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-I don't speak English.wav

Indicates that the speaker is unable to speak the English language.

ek praat nie Engels nie

I don't speak English (specifically English)

أَنَا لَا أَتَكَلَّم بِالْإِنْجِلِيزِيَّة

我𣍐曉講英文 /我𫧃晓讲英文

góa bōe-hiáu kóng eng-bûn / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng eng-bûn

我𣍐曉講英語 /我𫧃晓讲英语

góa bōe-hiáu kóng eng-gú / góa bǒe-hiáu káng eng-gír / góa bē-hiáu kóng eng-gí

我𣍐曉講紅毛話 /我𫧃晓讲红毛话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng âng-mô͘-ōe / óa bē-hiáu kóng âng-mô͘-ōa

ek praat nie Afrikaans nie

I don't speak (fill with the name of the current foreign language)

我𣍐曉講閩南話 /我𫧃晓讲闽南话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng bân-lâm-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng bân-lâm-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu káng bân-lâm-ōe / góa bē-hiáu kóng bân-lâm-ōa

我𣍐曉講臺語 /我𫧃晓讲台语

góa bē-hiáu kóng tâi-gí / góa bōe-hiáu kóng tâi-gú

我𣍐曉講臺灣話 /我𫧃晓讲台湾话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng tâi-oân-ōe / góa bē-hiáu kóng tâi-oân-ōa

我𣍐曉講福建話 /我𫧃晓讲福建话

góa bōe-hiáu kóng hok-kiàn-ōe / óa bē-hiáu kóng hok-kiàn-ōa

我𣍐曉講咱人話 /我𫧃晓讲咱人话

góa bǒe-hiáu kóng lán-nâng-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng lán-lâng-ōe / góa bǒe-hiáu kóng nán-nâng-ōe


sides reversed is

Deliberately chosen as being a palindrome itself.

"Drawer" sides reversed is "reward".

(among word-game enthusiasts) Used to turn semordnilaps into palindromes.


I'm hungry

我腹肚枵

góa pak-tó͘-iau / óa pak-tó͘-iau / góa bak-tó͘-iau

ฉันหิว (chǎn hǐu) (generic, colloquial) (add particles: ครับ (kráp) - male or ค่ะ (kâ) female for politeness)


I'm thirsty

أَنَا عَطْشَانَة

ʔanā ʕaṭšāna

ฉันหิวน้ำ (chăn hĭw náam) (generic, colloquial) (add particles: ครับ (kráp) - male or ค่ะ (kâ) female for politeness)

(usually) I need something to drink (e.g., water).

(more generally) I need something, or want something a lot.

(euphemistic) I want an alcoholic beverage.

(slang) Being too eager for something; desperate. Usually in reference to attention or sexual needs.


I'm tired

Gosh, I'm tired today.

Indicates that the speaker is in need of rest or sleep.

我𤺪囉 /我𤺪啰

góa siān--lo͘ / góa siǎn--lo͘ / góa siān--lo͘h

ฉันเหนื่อย (chǎn nʉ̀ai) (generic, colloquial) (add particles: ครับ (kráp) - male or ค่ะ (kâ) female for politeness)


leave me alone

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Back ache-leave me alone.wav

Why can't you just leave me alone for once?!

I'll be fine; please just leave me alone for a bit.

stop talking to me, stop being near me, stop interfering with my life (used especially when one is angry, frustrated, or annoyed).


what do you want, a medal

what do you want, a cookie?
what do you want, a cookie#English


it's someone's funeral

He can make as many empty tubes and corrugations out of me as he likes. It's his funeral.

1928, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, [Germany?]: Privately printed, →OCLC:

And then having the nerve to pray to God. It's her pimp, if she wants to do it it's her funeral.

"Well, it's your funeral," Charlie said. "If you like it, I should worry." "Who says I like it?" the other lad said, angrily. "What else can I do?"

1946, Winston Clewes, Sweet River in the Morning:

(informal) Someone's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on that person.

het is jouw begrafenis

someone's decisions or actions will bring undesirable consequences only on that person


you can say that again

(idiomatic, in response to another person) That is very true.


no sooner said than done

As soon as something is said, it will be done.

tal dit tal fet

no sooner than something is said it will be done


LMHO

(Internet slang) Initialism of laughing my head off.

(Internet slang, euphemistic) Initialism of laughing my heinie off.


as the day is long

He shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long.

1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:

And you shall do nothing but what you choose, and shall be as happy as the day is long.

1851 April 9, Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of the Seven Gables, a Romance, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields:

They are quiet, peaceable, tractable, free from drunkenness, and they are as industrious as the day is long.

1872, Mark Twain, chapter 54, in Roughing It:

"Oh, I don't think they would steal the box. Bart Andrews and Jack Thompson are as honest as the day is long."

1906, Horatio Alger, chapter 4, in Joe The Hotel Boy:

Monica: Alright, wait a second! Why would Ross tell everyone in your class that you are "as gay as the day is long"?

2003, Brian Buckner and Sebastian Jones, Friends, season 9, ep. 17 The One with the Memorial Service

"He is direct, honest as the day is long, hard-working and a good lad to have around."

2004 October 16, G. Caulkin, B. Glanville, “Souness eyes move to take Duff back on board”, in Times Online, UK, retrieved 2009-09-06:

(idiomatic, intensifier, simile) Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.


in your dreams

(idiomatic, colloquial, somewhat derogatory, often sarcastic) Used to express the speaker's skepticism about another's preceding statement about a desired or assumed state of affairs.


lather, rinse, repeat

From the directions on a bottle of shampoo.

wash, rinse, repeat (alternative)
rinse and repeat (alternative)
rinse-repeat (alternative)

Use the step backward icon again and experiment with the other three icons, drawing overlapping shapes. Lather, rinse, repeat.

2005, Deke McClelland, Galen Fott, Photoshop Elements 3 for Dummies:

Then, burned-out after a spring and summer of machining, testing, tweaking, lather, rinse, repeat, I took a driving vacation with my husband […]

2006, Annalee Newitz, Charlie Anders, She's such a geek!: women write about science, technology and other nerdy stuff:

Lather, rinse, repeat until you get tired of watching your money go down the drain.

2007, M P Dunleavey, Money Can Buy Happiness: How to Spend to Get the Life You Want:

(informal, often humorous) Indicating that an action or process was repeated, or needs to be repeated.

(informal, sarcastic) Indicating that an action or process happens often and is futile.


I see, said the blind man

USA, about 1860. This form of word play is known as a Wellerism.

(idiomatic) Expressing understanding after an initial period of confusion.


AFAIAC

as far as I am concerned
as far as I'm concerned#English

(Internet slang) Initialism of as far as I am concerned.


et seqq.

seqq. (alternative)
& seqq. (alternative)

(law, uncommon) Abbreviation of et sequentia; (of sequential things, such as pages and lists) and those which follow.


that's all

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see that, is, all.

I just think you should take things slowly, that's all.

Used to undercut the force of a suggestion, fact, etc.; that is all I want to say; there is no more to it.


nice to meet you

Nice to meet you! — You too, Bye.

2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

A polite expression used when the speaker is first introduced to someone.


it can't be helped

(idiomatic) It is inevitable. There is no alternative.


how do you pronounce this word

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-how do you pronounce this word.wav

Please say this word out loud so that I can learn how it is pronounced.

この言葉の読み方は何ですか？

このことばのよみかたはなんですか？

この単語は何と発音しますか。

このたんごはなんとはつおんしますか

kono tango wa nan to hatsuon shimasu ka?

이 단어의 읽는 방법은 무엇입니까?

i daneo-ui ingneun bangbeob-eun mueos-imnikka?

این کَلِمِه را چِطُوْر تَلَفُّظ میکُنید؟

چِگونِه این کَلِمِه را تَلَفُّظ میکُنید؟


dear sirs

Alternative form of dear Sir (for multiple addressees)


LMB

(Internet slang, vulgar) Initialism of lick my balls.


IDTS

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of I don't think so.


the fix is in

A process (for example, a court case) has been rigged behind the scenes and its outcome will not reflect true justice.


LMFAO

LMAO with an additional F meaning fucking.

(Internet slang, text messaging, vulgar) Initialism of laughing my fucking ass (arse) off More emphatic form of LMAO.


for old time's sake

for old times' sake
for old times' sake#English

Alternative form of for old times' sake.


as they say

A vague invocation of popular convention when introducing a phrase or expression, which may be accompanied by attribution to a source or locale in which the phrase or expression is used.


RHIP

(military, Internet) Initialism of "rank has its privilege" or "rank hath its privileges".


don't call us, we'll call you

(idiomatic, sometimes humorous) A stereotypical statement from a hiring organization to a potential candidate, suggesting that the candidate will not be hired.


the thing is

I'd like to come, but the thing is, I just can't afford it.

It's true that the stock market might go down, but the the thing is that with this investment you can make a profit regardless!

The thing is, we've even had formal confirmation from Government itself that the crucial research required to make such sweeping claims hasn't been done!

2022 January 12, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Unhappy start to 2022”, in RAIL, number 948, page 3:

(idiomatic, colloquial) Used to introduce the main point or issue.


what's on your mind

You look bothered. What’s on your mind?


no matter how one slices it

any way one slices it
any way one slices it#English


sohcahtoa

Alternative letter-case form of SOHCAHTOA.


IG

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of I guess.


I rest my case

All the evidence points toward the defendant's guilt. I rest my case.

(law) My argument is proven; I conclude my statement.

Damit schließe ich die Beweisführung ab.

ezzel befejeztem a perbeszédet / az érvelésemet

egyebet nem kívánok mondani/hozzátenni/hozzáfűzni

これにて立証を終える

これにてりっしょうをおえる

The drive will be too long, the seats too few, and the people too many. I rest my case.

(idiomatic) The previous encapsulates my view.


LTNS

2006, Bonita, “Popping in to say hello, LTNS”, in alt.support.diabetes (Usenet):

long time no see
long time no see#English

(Internet slang) Initialism of long time no see.


head

what does that have to do with the price of fish?

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-what does that have to do with the price of fish.wav

what does that have to do with the price of tea in China#English

variant of what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?


there ought to be a law

There ought to be a law, said Auntie Beatrice, people like that living up against decent people, something should be done.[…] Auntie Beatrice willed Divine Judgement, or an epidemic, or simple eviction, upon the boy and his mother.[…]

1970, Merle Hodge, Crick Crack, Monkey, Heinemann, published 2000, →ISBN, page 111:

Doesn't it kill you how somebody who looks so attractive can be so brilliant? God, there ought to be a law. She looks just like Julie Christie.

1985, Ira Wood, The Kitchen Man, Leapfrog Press, published 1998, →ISBN, page 17:


how do you say … in English

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-how do you say ... in English.wav

A request for a translation of a word or phrase into English.

……佇英文來一下按怎講 /……伫英文来一下按怎讲

… tī Eng-bûn laī chi̍t-ē án-chóaⁿ kóng / … tī Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ēe án-nóa kóng

……佇英文來一下按怎說 /……伫英文来一下按怎说

… tǐ Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ē àn-chóaⁿ seh / … tǐr Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ē àn-chóaⁿ serh

……佇英文來一下怎樣講 /……伫英文来一下怎样讲

… tī Eng-bûn laī chi̍t-ē cháiⁿ-iūⁿ kóng / … tī Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ēe chóaⁿ-iōⁿ kóng

……佇英文來一下怎樣說 /……伫英文来一下怎样说

… tǐ Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ē chàiⁿ-iūⁿ seh / … tǐr Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ē chàiⁿ-iūⁿ serh

……佇英文來一下障仔說 /……伫英文来一下障仔说

… tǐ Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ē chiùⁿ-á seh / … tǐr Eng-bûn lâi chi̍t-ē chiùⁿ-á serh

bagaimana Anda mengucapkan … dalam bahasa Inggris?

aaniin keyaa ge-ikidoyan wi-zhaaganaashiimoyan …?

paano po ninyo sinasabi ang … sa Ingles?

làm sao tôi được nối ... bằng tiếng Anh?


En-au-something is rotten in the state of Denmark.ogg

A line spoken by Marcellus in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act I, scene iv.

something is rotten in Denmark (alternative)

If the authorities knew about the problems and chose not to prevent them, then clearly something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Something is rotten in the ſtate of Denmarke.

[c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shake-speare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] L[ing] and Iohn Trundell, published 1603, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], signature C3, verso:

If divided roughly, two-thirds of them work in desk jobs while one-third are involved in field work. When one gets that sort of proportion one begins to think, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”.

1992 November 18, Lord Mackie of Benshie, “World Food Situation”, in parliamentary debates (Lords Chamber), volume 540, column 661:

My belief that something is rotten in the State of Denmark is bred by recent developments, both political and cultural. I feel that the feminist movement is now more on the defensive than the offensive, […]

2016, Robin Morgan, editor, Sisterhood Is Global […] , Open Road Media, →ISBN:

(idiomatic) Something is not right, seriously amiss, especially when leading to suspicion of motive.

има нещо гнило в Дания

Hamlet quotation, used in other contexts to mean "something is not right"

il y a quelque chose de pourri au royaume du Danemark

káti sápio ypárchei sto vasíleio tis Danimarkías

κάτι σάπιο υπάρχει στο βασίλειο της Δανιμαρκίας

нела́дно что́-то в да́тском короле́встве

algo está podrido en el estado de Dinamarca

çürümüş bir şeyler var şu Danimarka krallığında


what did your last slave die of

En-au-what did your last slave die of.ogg

The manager just couldn't get Lorcan to understand that if someone asked for a second cup of coffee, the correct response was 'Certainly, sir, coming right up,' and not 'What did your last slave die of?'

She's trying to meet my every need, waiting on me in ways that would make my mum bleat, 'What did your last slave die of?'

2010, Luisa Plaja, Swapped by a Kiss, page 102:

(idiomatic, humorous) Used to indicate that someone is being unreasonably bossy and demanding.


and the like

From the 16th century. Replaced earlier and other like.

And farther back still in the evolutionary process we may trace [...] the divinisation of four-footed animals and birds and snakes and trees and the like[.]

1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., page 93:

Similarly, Fingilish usually refers to transliterated Farsi in chatrooms, text messages, and the like.

2018, James Lambert, “A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity”, in English World-Wide, page 10:

(idiomatic, informal) And other similar items; et cetera.

og lignende (og lign., o.l., o.lign., o. lign)


or words to that effect

When he hit his finger with the hammer, he said "ouch" or words to that effect.

they were beyond earshot of the American commander, Capt. James Lawrence, who implored his men: "Don't give up the ship!" (or words to that effect).

2004 August, Doug Stewart, “Shore Thing.”, in Smithsonian, volume 34, number 5, page 90:

(idiomatic) used to indicate a paraphrase or the chance of an error in the details of reported speech.


IBG YBG

Our financial bubble, like all bubbles, has many complex strands feeding into it — called derivatives and credit-default swaps — but at heart, it is really very simple. We got away from the basics — from the fundamentals of prudent lending and borrowing, where the lender and borrower maintain some kind of personal responsibility for, and personal interest in, whether the person receiving the money can actually pay it back. Instead, we fell into what some people call YBG IBG lending: “you’ll be gone and I’ll be gone” before the bill comes due.

2008 October 14, Thomas L. Friedman, “Why How Matters”, in The New York Times:

opens up boundless room for creative financial engineering and no lack of opportunity for alchemy and the manifestation of IBG YBG behavior.

2008, Paul B. Carroll with Chunka Mui, Billion-Dollar Lessons, page 50:

(finance) Initialism of I'll be gone, you'll be gone (I'll have gotten my commission; you'll have sold out to the next guy; neither of us will be held accountable).


your good name

In modern South Asian English, likely calque of Bengali ভালো নাম (bhalō nam), Hindi शुभ नाम (śubh nām, literally “good name”), and similar collocations in other Indian languages.
Good has a sense similar to honourable, as in older English phrases such as “good sir” or “your good wife”.

clq

‘Society ought to be proud of such men as you, Mr. – what is your good name, sir?’ – ‘Phiggins, at your service.’

1838, Bentley's Miscellany: Proceedings of the Wide Awake Club, page 361:

'That must be your nick name. But what's your good name ?' 'I ain't get any bad name only one name Goofy.' She laughs. 'It's a funny name for a man.'

The man moved a little away and cleaned himself. "And your good name?" "You can call me Satyadas."

1998, Civacaṅkari, Knit India Through Literature: The East:

“What's your good name?” I asked him. “Marcos,” he replied.

2004, Michael Muhammad Knight, The taqwacores:

What is your good name, sahib?

2004, James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger, Travelers' Tales India: True Stories:

(respectful, South Asia, also archaic UK) Your name.


and crap

(idiomatic, often vulgar, somewhat euphemistic) Synonym of and shit.


how do I get to

Please show me/tell me the best way to reach ...

...에 가려면 어떻게 해야 합니까?

...e garyeomyeon eotteoke haeya hamnikka?


protoneutron

protoneutron star
protoneutron star#English

(astronomy) Only used in protoneutron star


Wysiwyg

Alternative letter-case form of WYSIWYG.


SPAD

Coordinate term: SPAR

signal passed at danger
signal passed at danger#English

(rail transport, UK) Initialism of signal passed at danger.


nature calls

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-nature calls.wav

(euphemistic, idiomatic, personification) Used to indicate that someone (usually the speaker) feels a need to urinate or defecate.

要上廁所 /要上厕所

the speaker feels a need to urinate or defecate


like turkeys voting for Christmas

En-au-like turkeys voting for Christmas.ogg

Because turkeys are commonly eaten at Christmas, turkeys voting for (an early) Christmas would be hastening their own death. The phrase is thought to have been coined by the British Liberal Party politician David Penhaligon (1944–1986) who used it to express opposition to the 1977 Lib–Lab pact. It was popularized by the British Prime Minister James Callaghan (1912–2005) who used it in the House of Commons in March 1979 when his Labour Party lost a vote of no confidence: see the 1977 and 1979 quotations.

coinage

a turkey voting for Christmas (alternative)

The next morning [14 December 1977] the Liberals held a two-and-a-half meeting at which Steel let them have their head. Only two MPs, Howells and Johnston, said they were willing to continue the Pact. The opponents were delighted. […] ‘Us voting for the Pact is like a turkey voting for Christmas’, said David Penhaligon

[1977 December 14, Alistair Michie, Simon Hoggart, “The Wispy Beards Strike Back”, in The Pact: The Inside Story of the Lib-Lab Government, 1977–8, London: Quartet Books, published 1978, →ISBN, page 156:

The minority parties have walked into a trap. If they win, there will be a general election. I am told that the current joke going around the House is that it is the first time in recorded history that turkeys have been known to vote for an early Christmas.

[1979 March 28, James Callaghan, Prime Minister, “Her Majesty’s Government (Opposition Motion)”, in House of Commons Debates (House of Commons of the United Kingdom), volume 965, London: Parliament of the United Kingdom, archived from the original on 2022-12-07, column 471:

Many of the responses to proposals, particularly regarding deregulation, were unsupported: it would have been like turkeys voting for Christmas in some respects.

1998, Philip Allmendinger, Huw Thomas, “Conclusions”, in Philip Allmendinger, Huw Thomas, editors, Urban Planning and the British New Right, London, New York, N.Y.: Routledge, →ISBN, page 247:

Bear in mind, however, that for some purchasing people, deciding to use an agent is a little like turkeys voting for Christmas.

2001, Trevor Kitching, “The Internet – the New Frontier for Scam Merchants”, in Purchasing Scams and How to Avoid Them, Aldershot, Hampshire, Burlington, Vt.: Gower Publishing, →ISBN, page 90:

The anti-divorce rallying cry of Fine Gael’s Alice Glenn, ‘Women voting for divorce is like turkeys voting for Christmas’, captured the sense of fear felt by many at the economic consequences of divorce for women.

2002, Frances Gardiner, Mary O’Dowd, “The Women’s Movement and Women Politicians in the Republic of Ireland, 1980–2000: Introduction”, in Angela Bourke et al., editors, The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing, volumes V (Irish Women’s Writing and Traditions), New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, →ISBN, page 233, column 1:

like turkeys voting for an early Christmas

(British, simile, humorous, of an action) Self-defeating; serving to bring about a situation detrimental to the performer of the action.

James Callaghan
Lib–Lab pact
Oxford University Press

sahata omaa oksaansa

of an action: self-defeating or serving to bring about a situation detrimental to the performer

scier la branche sur laquelle on est assis

肉屋を支持する豚 (nikuya wo shijisuru buta, literally “pigs who support butchers”)

пчёлы про́тив мёда (pčóly prótiv mjóda, literally “bees against honey”)


head

/laɪk ˌtɜːkiz ˈvəʊtɪŋ fɚ‿n̩ ˌɜːli ˈkɹɪsməs/

/laɪk ˌtɝkiz ˈvoʊtɪŋ fɚ‿n̩ ˌɝli ˈkɹɪsməs/

En-au-like turkeys voting for an early Christmas.ogg

like turkeys voting for Christmas#English

(British, simile, humorous) Synonym of like turkeys voting for Christmas.


a week from next Tuesday

You are thinking that in ten minutes from now you must do something — or it may be tomorrow, or a week from next Tuesday. Sometimes you think a year ahead, ...

1947, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, volume 1, number 12, page 49:

Even the best weatherman can't tell if it's going to rain or shine a week from next Tuesday. With the stars it is different. We can always tell in advance...

1976, H. A. Rey, Find the constellations, page 48:

(idiomatic) Some unspecified time in the future.

On the other hand, too wide a notch means you have to drill until a week from next Tuesday to get enough dust to fill the darn thing.

1996, Robin Blankenship, Earth knack: Stone age skills for the 21st century, page 22:

(idiomatic, usually preceded by until) Forever.


that ship has sailed

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-that ship has sailed.wav

that ship has already sailed (alternative)

The point is I… I don't need this right now, OK. It, it's too late, I'm with somebody else, I'm happy. This ship has sailed.

1995 November, “The One Where Ross Finds Out”, in Friends, season 2, episode 7 (television production), spoken by Ross Geller (David Schwimmer):

It’s a comedy-drama called Three Weeks; we’re shooting this autumn and it’s my directorial debut, which is exciting. It’s about a woman coming to terms with the fact that she doesn’t want to be a mother. She’s in her 30s, realising the truth of watching that ship sail as a choice.

2023 August 13, Michael Hogan, quoting Susan Wokoma, “Actor Susan Wokoma: ‘We all want to be married to Emma Thompson, don’t we?’”, in The Observer:

(originally US) That opportunity has already passed; it is too late to do anything about it.

по́езд ушёл (pójezd ušól, literally “the train is gone”)

close the stable door after the horse has bolted


t.

Borrowed from Finnish t., abbreviation of terveisin (“regards”). Originally started on the Finnish imageboard Ylilauta; popularity and ironic usage outside the nation is linked to Finnish-origin memes such as "Spurdo Spärde".

t. european

(Internet slang, 4chan, abbreviation, often humorous) Used as a way of signing off posts. Typically followed by an occupation, nationality, or field of expertise. These can sometimes be satirical, to imply said poster is being disingenuous and/or tongue-in-cheek.


where are the toilets

where is the toilet
where is the toilet#English

Alternative form of where is the toilet.


what say you

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-what say you.wav

Early Modern English syntax for what do you say; at the time, do-support was not yet obligatory. Compare Middle English what seien ye.

But vvhat ſay you novv? there is a Trout novv, and a good one too, if I can but hold him; and tvvo or three turns more vvill tire him: […]

1653, Iz[aak] Wa[lton], chapter II, in The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Man’s Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, […], London: […] T. Maxey for Rich[ard] Marriot, […], →OCLC; reprinted as The Compleat Angler (Homo Ludens; 6), Nieuwkoop, South Holland, Netherlands: Miland Publishers, 1969, →ISBN, page 60:

"What say you, my friend," cried the traveller, turning pleasantly to Natty's companion; "shall we toss up this dollar for the honour, and you keep the silver if you lose – what say you, friend?"

1823, [James Fenimore Cooper], chapter I, in The Pioneers, or The Sources of the Susquehanna; […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: Charles Wiley; […], →OCLC, page 13:

I think this is a huge boon to sushi in America. But these American sushi chefs have told me they face discrimination from American customers, who assume that because they're not Japanese or even Asian, they don't know what they're doing. Of course, there are good American chefs and not-so-good American chefs, but in my experience this applies to chefs who look Asian, too. What say you?

2009 May 18, Trevor Corson, “Does Race Matter for Sushi Chefs?”, in The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-06-26:

Bags are no sooner unpacked in the prime ministerial suite than it's down to tin tacks: to implementation. Here's my wish list, what say you? Yes, it really is that transactional. Sorry.

2013 October 25, Katharine Murphy, “Andrew Bolt v Tony Abbott: all very amiable – up to a point”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2022-01-27:

(formal) What do you say? What is your opinion?

(law) When addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead? Also, when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?

kuinka vastaatte syytteisiin?

when addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead?

mikä on tuomionne?

Sometimes followed by if: how about or what about (something)?

If vve ſhould reuell much, therefore vve vvill haue / Some halfe a dozen frends and make no more adoe. / But vvhat ſay you to Thurſday.

c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Juliet. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, published 1597, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:

VVhat ſay you to a leg of Beef novv, ſirha?

c. 1613 (first performance), John Fletcher, “The Tragedie of Bonduca”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act II, scene iii, page 54, column 1:

Come, Captain, let not your noble Courage be caſt dovvn; vvhat ſay you to a Glaſs of vvhite VVine, or a Tiff of Punch, by VVay of VVhet?

1751 December (indicated as 1752), Henry Fielding, “In which are Many Profound Secrets of Philosophy”, in Amelia, volume III, London: […] [William Strahan] for A[ndrew] Millar […], →OCLC, book VIII, pages 202–203:

Followed by to: do you fancy, or would you like (something, such as an activity or a drink or a food item)?

haluaisitko ...

do you fancy or would you like (something)?


riddle me this

Riddle me this, and guess him if you can, / Who bears a nation in a single man?

1760, John Dryden, The miscellaneous works of John Dryden, volume 1, page 250:

Somebody riddle me this. Why do people find pro-gay slogans on T-shirts so threatening?

2011, J. H. Trumble, Don't Let Me Go, page 115:

Answer this riddle (or other difficult or tricky question) for me.


put that in your pipe and smoke it

stick that in your pipe and smoke it (alternative)

En-au-put that in your pipe and smoke it.ogg

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-put that in your pipe and smoke it.wav

You musht know that I om (do you take me? see!) an owld rubble that has found marsee and purteckshin from ago-burn-mint, that mite very justly have scent me and awl my comerogues, sowl and boddy, piking off to the divle (Christ bless us!) and the two looking eyes in my foolish head is so opent, by this and other matthers, to see owld times and time to cum, fwhen I should be afther being dead of the himpen or leaden disorder, that I think I can give the peephill that reeds the Water-fart Chronickhill, sum hints worth shmoaking; and af yew don't prent them, fwhy-Na bocklesh! That's all! Put that in your pipe and shmoak it!

1800, James Alexander, Some Account of the first apparent Symptoms of the late Rebellion in the County of Kildare:

"There's plenty of room for improvement in it, I don't deny; but it's my belief, Snap, if you was to try to do some of the improvement, you'd find you'd such a lot to do in your own self that you'd begin to doubt whether you was quite a proper judge about other folk's badness. Put that in your pipe, old boy, and smoke it. Good night, Snap; we'll be going now, sir, if it's convenient."

1871, Richard Rowe, Episodes in an Obscure Life, Kessinger Publishing, page 91:

"Lie number one," said the old man; "I never saw either of them until two months ago, and I have never been in Africa in my life, so you can put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Busybody Holmes!"

1903 December 26, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist”, in The Return of Sherlock Holmes, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., published February 1905, →OCLC:

"'And you two can put that in your pipe and smoke it!' Tea over, Harry pushed back his chair and got up."

1988, Janet Tanner, The Emerald Valley, Critics Choice Paperbacks, page 228:

"Mamma set up a card table, and one of the men said, "You don't want a table for a picnic." She said, "I do. I can't stand dirt. Put that in your pipe and smoke it." She had started saying that a lot, like a habit, and I did, too."

1996, Mary Lee Settle, Charley Bland, Univ of South Carolina Press, page 27:

"The reason why grow ups and kids fight is because they belong to separate races. Look at them, different from us. Look at us, different from them. Separate races and 'never the twain shall meet.' Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Tom!"

1946, Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine, page 27:

(idiomatic, colloquial, derogatory) Used after stating something surprising or undesired, to emphasize its truth. Also used after refuting an argument. Sometimes an adjective is inserted before pipe.


marry me

嫁給我 /嫁给我

marriage proposal from a man to a woman (the shortest form)

wyjdź za mnie (za mąż)

za mąż added for clarification, but this is the shortest form

娶我吧

marriage proposal from a woman to a man (the shortest form)


don't ask, don't tell

(US) A policy of the U.S. military from 1993 to 2011, which barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving in the military, while also barring discrimination against closeted gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.

(by extension, often humorous) Applied to various other policies that prohibit a behavior but also discourage investigation of it.


DND

D&D (alternative)
DnD (alternative)
D'N'D (alternative)


mother of all

Calque of Arabic أُمّ (ʔumm, “mother (of)”). Popularized and given its current sense by Saddam Hussein's claim that the impending Gulf War would be the أُمّ المَعَارِك (ʔumm al-maʕārik, “mother of (all) battles”), though mother had long been used in somewhat similar senses in English, and other familial terms are used with the same meaning, like granddaddy (of all traffic jams) and father (of all battles).

calque

(etc)

Near-synonym: Big One

Driving to a dinner engagement, a Parisian woman gets stuck in the mother of all traffic jams, offers a ride to a handsome pedestrian, and enters a fleeting affair that catches both of them by surprise.

2003 December 26, “2003 Movie Guide”, in Christian Science Monitor:

Five mail-order ice creams. Four pregnant women. Welcome to the mother of all taste tests.

2006, Jean Chatzky, “Get the Scoop”, in Money, vol. 35.8:

“[Donald Trump's tariff proposal] is a prescription for the mother of all stagflations,” Larry Summers, Treasury secretary during the Clinton administration, told Bloomberg TV back in June.

2024 October 30, Laurent Belsie, “Surprisingly, Wall Street doesn’t seem to care who gets elected. So far, at least.”, in The Christian Science Monitor:

(colloquial) Used before a plural noun to form a compound noun having the sense of: the greatest or largest of (its kind); the most epic example of (its kind).


sweet Mary mother of God

(idiomatic) Used to add emphasis, particularly by Catholics.


JW

(Internet slang) Initialism of just wondering.

(Internet slang) Initialism of just watched.


l.c.

Sense “in the place cited” from Latin loco citato.

loc. cit. (alternative)
l. c. (alternative)


chance would be a fine thing

chance'd be a fine thing
chance'd be a fine thing#English

Alternative form of chance'd be a fine thing.


if the cap fits

if the cap fits, wear it
if the cap fits, wear it#English

(British) Ellipsis of if the cap fits, wear it.


v/r

(as a closing in a message) Initialism of very respectfully.


you're on

Let's play a game of chess. ― You're on!

(informal) Used to indicate acceptance by the speaker of a proposal or challenge, especially a competitive one.


thanku

(rare outside of TTY conversations) Alternative spelling of thank you.


all correct

(colloquial, obsolete) True; agreed, yes indeed.

(colloquial, obsolete) In order; properly arranged; as expected; above reproach; shipshape.

(of accounts, amounts, or calculations) Accurate, tallied correctly.

amounts; or calculations; amounts; or calculations

(of documents, especially legal documents) Accurate and appropriate.

in particular:


eat my shorts

/ˈiːt maɪ ˈʃɔːɹts/

Popularized by the TV series The Simpsons (1989), where it is a catchphrase of Bart Simpson.

Notre Dame boys greeted one another with "Eat It" to be answered by "Eat It Raw" or "Eat a Big One" or "Eat My Shorts," sometimes "Eat My Crusty Shorts."

[1977, James P. Leary, The Boys from the Dome […] , page 69:

Mickey: You could be the biggest fairy of them all!
Meat: Eat my shorts!

1983, Roger Swaybill, Alan Ormsby, Bob Clark, Porky's II: The Next Day (motion picture):

Richard Vernon: You're not fooling anyone, Bender. The next screw that falls out will be you.
 John Bender: Eat my shorts.
Richard Vernon: What was that?
John Bender: Eat... My... Shorts.

1985, John Hughes, The Breakfast Club (motion picture):

Her eyes are telling me, "Eat my shorts, you precocious little fart." I definitely haven't made a friend.

1988, Greg Matthews, The Gold Flake Hydrant, page 232:

For instance, Bart often expresses his irreverence toward authority on "The Simpsons" by exclaiming "Eat my shorts."

[1996, Douglas Rushkoff, Media Virus! […] , page 186:

(idiomatic, chiefly US) An irreverent rebuke or dismissal.


chacun a son gout

chacun à son goût
chacun à son goût#English


CYLOR

Initialism of consult your local Orthodox rabbi.

(Judaism, Internet) Used to encourage the addressee to rely upon his rabbi's, rather than others', answers to questions of religious import.

RTFM

encouraging appeal to a specific better source


out to

Jack is out to get you. You'd better hide.

The boy who saved a stranger wasn't out to make headlines: he was just being a Good Samaritan.

This company doesn't care about consumers, it's just out to make a profit.


one's word is law

(idiomatic) One's requests or orders must be fulfilled.


he shoots, he scores

Coined by Canadian hockey broadcaster Foster Hewitt.

He crouched down so that he was eye level with his desk, and pressing a big paper clip against a smaller one, he shot the clip into a paper cup. ¶ "He shoots, he scores!" he said, raising his arms.

1997, Lorna Landvik, Your Oasis on Flame Lake, →ISBN, page 108:


not happy, Jan

Made famous by a television advertisement for Sensis's (Telstra's Directories and Advertising division) Yellow Pages product, which was aired in Australia from 2000–2003. See the Wikipedia article.

One young chick is standing on its toes, flapping crazily, squawking a long ‘not-happy-Jan’ cry in penguin-speak.

2011, Craig Cormick, In Bed with Douglas Mawson: Travels Around Antarctica, unnumbered page:

For quotations using this term, see Citations:not happy, Jan.

(Australia) Used to express displeasure at someone else's incompetence.


LMBAO

(initialism, Internet slang) Laughing my black ass off.


as much use as a chocolate fireguard

En-au-as much use as a chocolate fireguard.ogg

Since a chocolate fireguard would melt immediately.


AICMFP

> Do you always hide behind such actions....
You are Eliza AICMFP...

1998 April 29, Nix, “MicroShite and Demon? A match made in Purgatory”, in demon.service (Usenet):

The FAQ that Jamie posts each week just so that I know where I am, explains all -- you are another non-FAQ-reader -- AICMFP :)

1999 February 18, sljhollick, “Make extra $$$ by using of your pc at home!”, in alt.radio.uk.talk-radio (Usenet):

> […] Trade unions are a greater threat to astable^([sic]) society than the idiots of the BNP, its time they were banned.
You are Maggie Thatcher AICMFP. :)

2007 January 18, Paul Hyett, “TIME TO BAN TRADE UNIONS”, in uk.politics.misc (Usenet):

> ... My cursive is impenetrable even to me. ...
You are a medical practitioner who writes out prescriptions AICMFP! :-)

2017 October 28, Gareth's Downstairs Computer, “OFF TOPIC: Leave it to Beaver--sneakers (early 1960s lifestyle)”, in alt.folklore.computers (Usenet):

>And in my case, it's compounded by the fact that I have an r/w speech impediment so I often pronounce 'r' at the beginning of a word as a 'w'. (Curiously, I've sometimes even spelt words with a 'w' instead of an 'r'.)
You are Elmer Fudd AICMFP. :)

2020 June 4, Dorothy J Heydt, “Forty years ago yesterday”, in rec.arts.sf.fandom (Usenet):

and I claim my five pounds
and I claim my five pounds#English

(Internet slang, humorous) Initialism of and I claim my five pounds.


BLM

black lives matter
black lives matter#English


FSM

Near-synonym: F4M

(in personal ads or Internet slang) Initialism of female seeking male or femme seeking masc.


LBR

He's also got a prestige cosmetics line, the kind most of us can only admire from afar — stars like Mindy Kaling may wax poetic about Tom Ford Lip Color in Black Orchid, but LBR, most of us aren't going to drop $52 on a single tube of lippie — and he co-wrote and directed an Oscar-nominated film.

2015 August 27, Rosie Narasaki, “18 Ultra-Stunning Tom Ford Red Carpet Moments”, in Bustle:

You’re the chattiest zodiac sign, Gemmy, so communication is naturally supes important. However, not everyone is like you, and LBR, this kind of mismatch can make or break relationships. […] You’re deeply invested in your relationships and, LBR, sexual chemistry is important to you.

2020 April 2, Kyle Thomas, “How You *Should* Be Using Dating Apps, by Zodiac Sign”, in Cosmopolitan:

(Internet slang) Initialism of let's be real.


that's the bunny

"Pass the block of gear across will you? It's there on the table beside you." He looked round, and spied a generous block of dark brown resin wrapped in shrink wrap. Where the plastic had been peeled back, a hunk had already been removed, revealing the glassy green inside of the block. "That's the bunny," Rob was saying, "pass the whole lot across on the board."

2006, Jennifer Kirk, Countdown to Extinction:

"I talked very nicely to an Irishman." "The one in the cell?" "That's the bunny."

(UK, colloquial) That is the right person or thing; that's it.


23 skidoo

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-23 skidoo.wav

From twenty-three (“get lost; get out; leave”) + skidoo (“to depart, especially quickly”). Exact origin unknown; many theories exist, though none have been universally accepted. See the Wikipedia article for more information.

scram

to leave quickly, especially at an advantageous time

... the 'varsity quarter, who at the close of each meeting discards the conventional "I move we adjourn, sir,'" for the more modern "23, skidoo."

1908, George Washington University student publication, The Cherry tree: published by the students at George Washington university, page 348:

I can imagine nothing more shocking than to hear some one use a slang expression current ten years ago, such as ‘23 skidoo’ or ‘you’re off your base.’

1928, Henry Robinson Luce, Time, volume 11:

(idiomatic, archaic, chiefly US) To leave, particularly quickly or at an advantageous time.

(idiomatic, archaic, chiefly US) To be forced to leave quickly.


olly olly oxen free

A call in a children's game to say that players in hiding are free to come out.


not a patch on

The new model is not a patch on the original version.

Not an improvement over something; not nearly as good as something; much worse than.


what are you like

(UK, Ireland, colloquial, US, obsolete) Expressing mock despair at somebody's outrageous behaviour.


what's new

onko mitään uutta

implies that the situation is and always has been unsatisfactory

(informal) An informal greeting asking the other person what has recently happened in their life. A typical response might be "Not much; you?". The greeting is not always literal and may just be used to say hello.

иҟеи

informal greeting asking what has happened recently

You're still having problems with that idiot you employed last year? So, what's new?

(rhetorical question, idiomatic) A rhetorical request for some real news, on hearing a report that was not news because it represents a continuing predictable and unsatisfactory situation.


what else is new

My mum is still giving me grief for not getting a job. ― What else is new?

(rhetorical question) A rhetorical request for some real news, on hearing a report that was not news because it represents a continuing predictable and unsatisfactory situation.


what do you say

Let's go to the movies tonight, what do you say?

(idiomatic) Used to ask someone if they are willing to do something.

你覺得怎麼樣？ /你觉得怎么样？

used to ask someone if they are willing to do something

That man just gave you a lovely birthday gift, young lady; what do you say? ― Thank you!

I want cake! ― What do you say? ― Please!

When Aunt Fiona from Florida gave Jordan some candy, Mom said, "What do you say?" and Jordan replied, "Thank you!"

(idiomatic) Used to remind a child to say a polite expression.

說謝謝 /说谢谢

used to remind a child to say a polite expression


the rest is history

Sarah and I got married back in 1956 and the rest is history.

And we said, “We're all going to agree on one name, and we're all going to start using it.” We voted on “sourceware” versus “open source,” and “open source” won. We had the press conference at five, and the rest is history.

2009, Andrew Stellman, Jennifer Greene, quoting Tim O'Reilly, Beautiful Teams: Inspiring and Cautionary Tales from Veteran Team Leaders, O'Reilly Media, →ISBN, page 4:

(informal, idiomatic) One does not need to continue narrating a story as the subsequent events are assumed to be well-known.

淨低嘅都係歷史 /净低嘅都系历史

used to indicate that one does not need to continue a story


you and what army

you and whose army
you and whose army#English

(US) Alternative form of you and whose army.


uwma

until we meet again
until we meet again#English

(text messaging) Initialism of until we meet again.


DGAF

Eric was there to support his father too, while youngest daughter Tiffany turned up to do her usual vacant smiling. But Melania, in trademark DGAF style, was nowhere to be seen.

2024 July 20, Jemima Kelly, “Melania Trump really doesn't care, do u?”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 19:

(slang, vulgar) Initialism of don't/doesn't give a fuck.


fucked by the fickle finger of fate

en-adj

fucked by the fickle finger of fate (not comparable)

en-au-fucked by the fickle finger of fate.ogg

(idiomatic, vulgar, slang) Victimized by bad luck.


Elvis has left the building

Announced by promoter Al Dvorin at the end of Elvis Presley's concerts in the 1970s as a means to prevent pandemonium and mobbing.

(idiomatic) A phrase used to announce the end of a show, usually one performed by an Elvis impersonator.


to whom this may concern

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-to whom this may concern.wav

to whom it may concern
to whom it may concern#English


to be continued

(writing, television) Used at the end of an episode of a serial publication or program to indicate that the story continues in the next episode.

EMH: Computer, freeze programme.
PARIS: Doc, this is the final chapter. Satan's Robot Conquers the World. We can't stop now.
EMH: Does the phrase to be continued mean anything to you?
PARIS: Your opera can wait.

1998, Star Trek: Voyager (TV series), "Night" (episode)

EMH: This programme is a waste of photonic energy.

(colloquial) Used to indicate that a story under discussion has not concluded, either in narration or in reality.


if I were you

A phrase said to introduce advice, i.e. to express what one would do in the interlocutor's situation.


yf

Row 3. P1, yb, sl1 purlwise, yf, pbf, p1.

1997, Jo Sharp, Knitted sweater style: inspirations in color, page 62:


iht

"God, this is so hard!" / "That's what she said! iht! :D"

(Internet slang) Initialism of I had to.


be off with you

"Why, you are surely thinking it is the parson who stands here before you; but so help me, if you don't think wrong, for I am the clerk." "Be off with you, - go home, and you be the parson and let him be clerk," said the king, and so it was.

1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 208:


be right back

Used to indicate the speaker will return in a moment. Often abbreviated in online slang as BRB.

سَأَعُودُ بَعْدَ قَلِيل

indicate speaker will return in a moment

थोड़ा आता हूं

thoṛā ātā hū̃


pound for pound

Alternative spelling of pound-for-pound.


the writing is on the wall

From the Biblical story in Daniel 5 where mysterious writing appearing on a wall during a feast held by King Belshazzar points to the downfall of the Babylonian Empire: see writing on the wall.

cuando las barbas de tu vecino veas pelar, pon las tuyas a remojar


no more Mr. Nice Guy

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-no more Mr. Nice Guy.wav

The phrase was originated by Walter Winchell in 1960. He wrote a syndicated show-business column in newspapers entitled On-Broadway, wherein he told a joke about Adolf Hitler using the phrase when the Soviets invaded Berlin in 1945. The phrase was later popularized in the Alice Cooper song of the same name.

no more Mr Nice Guy (alternative)
no more Mister Nice Guy (alternative)

"No more Mr. Nice Guy, No More Mr. Clean, No more Mr. Nice Guy, they say "he's sick, he's obscene!""

1973, Alice Cooper and Michael Bruce, “No More Mr. Nice Guy”, in Billion Dollar Babies:

You heard me right, buckaroos—no more Mr. Nice Guy. If those dagger-throwing Ali Babas are so keen on acting like the gol-durned Vietcong, I say let's treat 'em like the gol-durned Vietcong.

2003 August 19, "Ed Anger": Weekly World News, page 17:

"I'm outta here. Kian, watch yourself please," Bobby said.
"Bobby, watch yourself please," Kian said, sarcastic.
"That's it Kian. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Do not get in my way. You..." Bobby said.

2007, Gene W. Kidd, Spotlight, →ISBN, page 141:

expressing that an implied individual has ceased being pleasant, and will now resort to unpleasant means to attain their objectives.

Adolf Hitler
Battle of Berlin
No More Mr. Nice Guy (song)
Walter Winchell


home sweet home

(idiomatic) One's home, especially a nice, comfortable home.

After my work in the City, I like to be at home. What 's the good of a home, if you are never in it? "Home, Sweet Home," that's my motto.

1892, George Grossmith, Weedon Grossmith, chapter 1, in The Diary of a Nobody:

(idiomatic) Expressing contentment or relief at residing in or returning to one's own home.


there's a grain of truth in every joke

Whenever a person is joking, they are actually disguising thoughts and emotions, either subconsciously or deliberately.

ei niin pientä pilaa, ettei totta toinen puoli

In jedem Scherz steckt ein Körnchen Wahrheit

toda brincadeira tem um fundo de verdade


what's with

What's with Jim lately? He always has a frown on his face.

(colloquial, sometimes rhetorical question) What is wrong with.

What's with all the presents? Are you having a birthday party?

Oy! You! With the mustache! What's wif the stink-eye, eh? You got somethin' to say?

2004, Intelligent Systems, translated by Nintendo of America, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo, GameCube, level/area: Rogueport:

(colloquial, sometimes rhetorical question) What is the reason for.


spank you very much

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-spank you very much.wav

From spank you, formed by imitation of thank you very much.

He giggled with that obnoxious hyena laugh he has. "Spank you very much. I know you missed me, Cindy."


pretty please with sugar on top

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-pretty please with sugar on top.wav

I think fast, I talk fast and I need you guys to act fast if you wanna get out of this. So, pretty please... with sugar on top? Clean the fucking car!

1994, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, Pulp Fiction, spoken by The Wolf (Harvey Keitel):

Exaggerated form of please or pretty please.


how long is a piece of string

How long is a piece of string (canonical)

(colloquial, often humorous, rhetorical question) Used as a response to a question such as "How long will it take?" or "How big is it?" when the length or size is unknown, infinite, variable, or relative.


in potentiâ

There are many things which obstruct the path to perfection, and which keep man away from it. Where can he find sufficient preparation and leisure to learn all that is necessary in order to develop that perfection which he has in potentiâ?

1881, Moses Maimonides [aut.], Michael Friedländer [tr.], chapter XXXIV, in The Guide for the Perplexed:

(with marked ablative) Alternative spelling of in potentia.


heaven knows

Be content with the knowledge that, ere the voyage had ended, both she and I were desperately and unreasoningly in love with one another. Heaven knows that I can make the admission now without one particle of vanity.

1888, Rudyard Kipling, “The Phantom Rickshaw”, in The Phantom 'Rickshaw and Other Tales, Allahabad: A.H. Wheeler and Co., page 10:

In olden days, a glimpse of stockings / Was looked on as something shocking; / Now, heaven knows, / Anything goes.

And heaven knows I really miss him more / Than anyone I really loved before / And I know, I'm so lost without his heart

1969, “Heaven Knows I'm Missing Him Now”, performed by Sandie Shaw:

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour / But heaven knows I'm miserable now / I was looking for a job and then I found a job / And heaven knows I'm miserable now

1984, Morrissey & Johnny Marr, “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”, in Hatful of Hollow, performed by The Smiths:


GMTA

great minds think alike
great minds think alike#English

(Internet, humorous) Initialism of great minds think alike.


IPML

(Internet slang) Initialism of I pissed myself laughing: used to indicate great amusement, usually exaggerated.


small world

it's a small world
it's a small world#English


it's a small world

what a small world (alternative)
small world (alternative)

“I have met my young photographer,” said De Stancy, cheerily. “What a small world it is, as every busybody truly observes! I am wishing he could take some views for us as we go on; but you have no apparatus with you, I suppose, Mr. Dare?”

1880–1881, Thomas Hardy, chapter I, in A Laodicean; or, The Castle of the De Stancys. A Story of To-day. […], volume III, London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, […], published 1881, →OCLC, book the fifth (De Stancy and Paula), page 40:

Used to express surprise at meeting an acquaintance or discovering a personal connection in a distant place or an unexpected context.

el món és un mocador

phrase used when meeting an acquaintance or personal connection in an unexpected place or context

世間は広い様で狭い

せけんはひろいようでせまい

мир те́сен (mir tésen, literally “the world is narrow”)

яка Земля кругла (jaka Zemlja kruhla, literally “how round is the Earth”)


do not want

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-do not want.wav

From a badly translated Chinese bootleg copy of Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith titled Star War The Third Gathers: The Backstroke of the West. The original cry "Noooooooo" was translated into Chinese as 不要 (bùyào, “not want”), and then back into the English subtitles as "do not want".

Eww, spiders...DO NOT WANT!

(Internet slang) Used to indicate that the speaker does not like something they have seen or heard.


DNW

(Internet slang) Initialism of do not want.

DNW rate

emergency department
emergency department#English

(healthcare) Initialism of did not wait: referring to people who present to an emergency department but leave prior to medical assessment.


and whatnot

In the old, old days when men were wiser than they are in these times, there lived a great philosopher and magician, by name Nicholas Flamel. Not only did he know all the actual sciences, but the black arts as well, and magic, and what not.

1895, Howard Pyle, “Empty Bottles”, in Twilight Land:


time will tell

only time will tell (alternative)
time alone will tell (alternative)

This may not be a good idea, but time will tell.

That was harsh on the former Manchester United keeper after a performance which kept his team in the tie at times. But Grant, so often starved of luck himself, will feel both he and his side were worthy of the good fortune. Only time will tell whether it will be enough.

2011 January 11, Jonathan Stevenson, “West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham”, in BBC:

(idiomatic) Events and outcomes cannot be known beforehand.

الْوَقْت سَيَقُولُ

results of an action cannot be known beforehand

az-zaman waḥadahu huwa l-kafīl bi-l-ʔijāba

الزَّمَن وَحَدَهُ هُوَ الكَفِيل بِالإِجَابَة

поживём — увидим (poživjóm — uvidim) (we'll live and see)

the proof of the pudding is in the eating


only time will tell

(idiomatic) Alternative form of time will tell.


take a picture, it will last longer

take a picture, it'll last longer (alternative)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-take a picture, it will last longer.wav

Byron wasn't aware he was staring as long as he was. His manager saw him and gathered all the girls behind the counter together and had them stare at Byron. Finally she said, "Byron, take a picture; it will last longer." Byron was startled out of his daydream and the girls all laughed at him.

2004, Steve L. Case, The Youth Worker's Big Book of Case Studies:

(informal, sarcastic) Said to scold somebody who is staring at the speaker.


who are you

Asks the interlocutor for their identification

bạn là ai?

bạn (you) should be replaced with an appropriate pronoun

who are you and what have you done with someone


what is that

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see what, was, that.: Asks the interlocutor to identify an indicated object.

(colloquial) What did you just say? Synonym of say again.

彼個啥物？ /彼个啥物？

hit-ê siáⁿ-mi̍h? / hit-gê siáⁿ-mih? / hit-ê sáⁿ-mi̍h? / hit-ê siáⁿ-mí? / hit-ê siáⁿ-meh? / hit-ê sahⁿ-mi̍h?

彼個什物 /彼个什物

hit-ê sím-mi̍h? / hit-ê sím-mi? / hit-ê sím-mih? / hit-ê sīm-mi̍h? / hit-ê sám-mi̍h?

ano iyon?

remote from speaker and the person being addressed


make love, not war

desc

→ French: faites l'amour, pas la guerre (calque)

Originally coined by those who opposed the United States's involvement in the Vietnam War.

I want you to make love, not war / I know you've heard it before

1973, John Lennon, “Mind Games”, in Mind Games:

A hippie anti-war slogan encouraging love and peace.


I'd like to kiss you

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-I'd like to kiss you.wav


there you are

(idiomatic) Used while giving someone something. Here you are; there you go.

Right, the committee has considered your request and denied it, so there you are.

(idiomatic, British) Said to indicate that one has finished talking, or to express finality or fatalism, particularly regarding unpleasant news.


stick that in your pipe and smoke it

put that in your pipe and smoke it#English

Alternative form of put that in your pipe and smoke it.


more like

"Load of old rubbish, more like. Just a daft story from a time when folk didn't know any better."

Syllabics? Silly bollocks, more like.

2005, Stephen Fry, The ode less travelled: unlocking the poet within:

"Gloriously unpredictable?" Fucking rubbish, more like.

Nothing to do with his physical prowess. Bullshit and crap more like — very funny though.

(chiefly UK) Used to challenge another's use of a term, replacing it with something the speaker or writer considers more pertinent.

'Notion Club! More like the Commotion Club! Is there any news of the Commoters?'

1992, J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien, Sauron Defeated, →ISBN, page 254:

More like the Academy Awk-wards, am I right?

2023 March 10, Lester Fabian Brathwaite, “The Oscars' biggest controversies, scandals, and WTF moments”, in Entertainment Weekly, retrieved 2023-03-23:

Used to introduce a pun or joke about some name.


what can I say

Near-synonyms: what can you do; it is what it is

A: But it's written right there in the instructions! B: What can I say? We're not dealing with people who are good at reading, here.

(idiomatic) Indicating that nothing that could be said would add to or improve the situation.

شو بدي أحكيلك لأحكيلك؟

indicating that there is nothing to be said which would improve matters


I am what I am

For Jacob's God and Peter's Saviour Utters above each circumstance—"I am what I am"

1907, M. A. Chaplin, Chimes for the Times, London: Farncombe & Son, Gospel Chimes: "I Am That (What) I Am", page 22:

The Apostle said that he was 'not worthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the Church of God', but he goes on to add: 'But by the grace of God I am what I am'. What does it matter what I was? 'I am what I am.'

1965, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, pages 65, 66:

Popeye said, "I am what I am, that is all that I am, I am Popeye the sailorman." I like that. Somehow, we have to incorporate this concept throughout our lives. I am important because I am what I am.

1974, Melvin White, Barriers to Health Care for Older Americans: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Health of the Elderly of the Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate, Part 10, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, Statement of Dr. Melvin White, Director, Rocky Mountain Gerontological Center at the University of Utah, page 1025:

I am what I am and I am U.S. American

1983 [1981], Rosario Morales, edited by Cherríe Maraga, Gloria Anzaldúa, This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color, New York: Kitchen Table, "I Am What I Am", page 12:

I am as I must be; I cannot be changed; I can't help the way I am.


head

En-us-what does that have to do with the price of tea in China.oga

A: "I read that aliens built the Egyptian pyramids." – B: "What medications are you taking?" – A: "What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?"

My reaction is "What does this have to do with the price of tea in China?"

1972, American School Counselor Association, The School counselor, volume 20, page 7:

To quote the old saying, "what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?" Talk about totally irrelevant.

2000, United States Senate, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Agricultural trade options: hearing before the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, →ISBN, page 103:

(rhetorical question, colloquial) Used to indicate that a previous comment is irrelevant or non sequitur.

八竿子打不著

a comment used to indicate that a previous comment is irrelevant or unimportant

τρία πουλάκια κάθονταν και πλέκανε πουλόβερ (tría poulákia káthontan kai plékane poulóver, literally “three little birds were sitting, knitting sweaters”)

в огоро́де — бузина́, а в Ки́еве — дя́дька (v ogoróde — buziná, a v Kíjeve — djádʹka, literally “there's elderberry in the vegetable garden but an uncle in Kiev”)

qué tienen que ver los cojones con comer trigo


don't ask, don't tell, don't harass, don't pursue

don't ask, don't tell
don't ask, don't tell#English

Full name of the U.S. Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy concerning the service of homosexuals in the military as defined in 10 USC § 654.


what a pity

What a pity you can't attend our party tonight.

Used to express regret or disappointment about an unfortunate event or piece of information.


who are you and what have you done with (someone)?

who are you and what have you done with (canonical)

Who are you and what have you done with the "real" editors of The Roanoke Times?

2000 May 15, “Letters to the editor”, in Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Virginia:

One thing she has noticed over the years, Dorothea says, is that "he's developed more of a sense of humor. Now, when he'll crack a joke, I'll say, Oh, my God, who are you and what have you done with my husband?"'

2002 November, Tom Gliatto, “Local boy makes good”, in People, volume 58, number 22, page 114:

"Who are you and what have you done with Izzy Zanella?" she finally said. / "Go on," he said. "Mock me. The one time I'm being serious and trying to do the right thing."

2009, Suzanne Brockmann, Into the Fire, page 49:

(colloquial, humorous, rhetorical question) Said to express surprise due to a perceived drastic change of behaviour of a person.

Expression to drastic change of a person

wie is jy en wat het jy met iemand gedoen.

Wer sind Sie und was haben Sie mit jemandem gemacht

vem är du och vad har du gjort med någon


security through obscurity

security by obscurity (alternative)
security-by-obscurity (alternative)
security-through-obscurity (alternative)

This security through obscurity proved adequate for our prototype, but it was unacceptable for a turnin service in wide use.

1990, W Cattey, The Evolution of turnin A Classroom Oriented File Exchange Service, USENIX Summer Conference:

According to security-through-obscurity advocates, if we carefully hide our gaping vulnerabilities from our enemies, the bad guys will give up in frustration when they cannot easily find holes.

2006, Harold F. Tipton, Micki Krause, Information Security Management Handbook:

Things such as security through obscurity become common practices that usually have damaging results.

2008, Shon Harris, CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide:

(computer security) The habit or practice of relying on a potential attacker's lack of knowledge will maintain security.


no hard feelings

No need to worry
Everything's under control
O-U-T, but no hard feelings

1983, “Girlfriend Is Better”, in Speaking in Tongues, performed by Talking Heads:

Patrick O'Brien: No hard feelings? I've been falsely accused, had the crap kicked out of me, now I have no job.
Gene Hunt: Look on the bright side. Still got your health. So, you know, every cloud.

2007 March 6, Julie Rutterford, Life on Mars, Season 2, Episode 3:

(idiomatic) (I, etc.) hold no lingering anger or resentment toward (you, etc.); there's no bad blood between (us, etc.).


any other business

The last item on the agenda for a meeting, when any matter not already dealt with may be raised. Abbreviations: a.o.b., AOB.