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Tag: phrase

Motley Crew

Posted by Katherine on June 7, 2013 in 18th Century, Language, Medieval

The phrase ‘motley crew’ derives from the eighteenth century. ‘Motley’ is a medieval word meaning mixed in colour and often referred to clothing. The Motley was therefore the court jester due to his multi-coloured costume. The meaning of the word…

Lukewarm

Posted by Katherine on August 27, 2012 in 16th Century, Medieval

Somebody drew my attention towards the term lukewarm yesterday, wondering why we add the word luke to warm to mean tepid. The term derives from Middle English, first used in the 14th century, when the word ‘luke’ was a adjective…

To steal one’s thunder

Posted by Katherine on August 17, 2012 in 18th Century

This cliché first developed in the 18th century and means to take over somebody’s idea, fame or recognition or to draw people’s attention towards oneself at the expense of someone else. The phrase originates from the theatre at a time…

Touch Wood

Posted by Katherine on January 4, 2012 in 19th Century, 20th Century, Medieval

The superstitious phrase ‘touch wood’ is one with many contested origins and it is still not clear which is the correct one. In the UK, many people still touch wood and use the phrase when they talk about their luck…

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