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Explanations
for Old Sayings
There are many terms and phrases in the English language that we take
for granted, but when you stop and think about it, there is no clear
connection between the term and its meaning. For example, many are familiar
with the term "raining cats and dogs", but can't explain how
cats and dogs relate to a heavy, torrential rain.
The challenge for this assignment is to create a colourful possible
explanation for the following phrases. While it is fun to learn the
"real" story behind these phrases, accuracy isn't important.
The challenge here is to get your creative juices flowing.
Try to develop an explanation for the following terms:
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Second
string
(A
replacement or backup)
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Knock
off work
(To
finish at the end of a working day.)
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Stool
pigeon
(An
informer or traitor.)
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To
"stump" someone
(To
provide a challenge that is too difficult to overcome.)
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Long
in the tooth
(Old.)
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For
the Birds
(Worthless)
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Wing
it
(To
do something without preparation.)
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Redneck
(Traditionally,
a poor, uneducated, rowdy, white southerner.)
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| Raining
cats and dogs
(A
torrential, heavy rain.)
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Whole
nine yards
(All
of something, everything.)
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Whipping
Boy
(A scapegoat or someone who is habitually picked on)
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To
be "above board"
(To be honest.)
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Bury
the hatchet
(Make peace with an enemy.)
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Fly
off the handle
(Get very angry, very quickly.)
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Happy
as a clam
(Happy)
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Not
up to scratch
(Inadequate, substandard.) |
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to creative writing
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