Articles explaining the meaning and origin of food-related idioms.
A quick Google search of the origin of the idiom ‘butter someone up’ provides a colorful but unlikely answer. It is claimed that the idea of buttering someone up comes from the ancient Hindu practice of throwing balls of clarified butter at the statues of Gods to ask for favors. As idioms go, this particular … Read more
As idioms go, “Cool as a cucumber” is not the most transparent expression. What do cucumbers have to do with coolness or being cold in a literal or figurative sense? Are they cold? Yes, the inside of cucumbers are cooler than their surroundings. But, it is not clear that this is why we say cool … Read more
I am an expert on everything in the culinary world. You may want to take that with a grain of salt, because, if you believe it, I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona you may like. In the previous sentence, you may understand the allusion in the latter idiom without explanation. Arizona does not border any … Read more
When we say something is a hot potato, we are referring to something that is controversial, awkward, embarrassing, difficult, or unpleasant to deal with and which people want to avoid. We often refer, as well, to a ‘political hot potato.’ Either term is most often used in reference to a public issue. But, the idiom … Read more
To kill the fatted calf is to prepare a huge celebratory feast, especially to welcome someone. It means to have a big party with lots of food and drink. The American Heritage Dictionary Of Idioms defines it as “to prepare for a joyful occasion or a warm welcome.” An example would be a long lost beloved relative coming … Read more
Have you ever had egg on your face? Possibly, after eating eggs. But someone having egg on their face is also an idiomatic expression meaning to look foolish after having made some mistake. The expression is figurative in that the person doesn’t really have egg on their face. But, does the expression come from having remnants … Read more