#MAD HATTER SAYINGS HOW TO#

Origins: First used in the literature of the 1600s – notably Don Quixote by Cervantes – this expression has its origins in the Medieval kitchen, when both pots and kettles were made from sturdy cast iron and both would get black with soot from the open fire. Meaning: We use this expression to refer to someone who criticises someone else, for something they they themselves are guilty of.Įxample: “You’re greedy.” “Pot calling the kettle black?” A similar expression is “Chance would be a fine thing”, which refers to something that one would like to happen, but that is very unlikely. Origins: The origins of this expression are unclear, but the use of the word “fat” is likely to be a sarcastic version of saying “slim chance”. Bizarrely, and contrary to what one might expect, the related expression “slim chance” means the same thing.Įxample: “We might win the Lottery.” “Fat chance.”

Meaning: We use the expression “fat chance” to refer to something that is incredibly unlikely. Origins: Interestingly, this expression is said to have arisen as a result of the famous English naval hero Admiral Horatio Nelson, who, during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, is alleged to have deliberately raised his telescope to his blind eye, thus ensuring that he would not see any signal from his superior giving him discretion to withdraw from the battle. Meaning: To “turn a blind eye” to something means to pretend not to have noticed it.Įxample: “She took one of the cookies, but I turned a blind eye.” Origins: Anthony Trollope first used this expression, in 1848 in Kellys and O’Kellys, writing, “If it was to save my life and theirs, I can’t get up small talk for the rector and his curate.” 4. It’s typically used in a self-deprecating manner or to indicate reluctance to carry out a task requested of one.Įxample: “Don’t pick me – I can’t draw to save my life.” Meaning: “Can’t do something to save your life” is a hyperbolic way of saying that you’re completely inept at something. Speculation as to its origins ranges from medieval superstition to Norse mythology, but it may even be a reference to dead animals being washed through the streets by floods. Origins: The origins of this bizarre phrase are obscure, though it was first recorded in 1651 in the poet Henry Vaughan’s collection Olor Iscanus. It’s “raining cats and dogs” when it’s raining particularly heavily.Įxample: “Listen to that rain!” “It’s raining cats and dogs!” Meaning: We Brits are known for our obsession with the weather, so we couldn’t omit a rain-related idiom from this list. These days, the expression has lost this focus on sports and can be used in any context. This sense of the phrase dates back to the 16th century, but the present use only came into being in mid-20th century America, primarily referring to sports. Origins: This saying has its origins in music, as “playing something by ear” means to play music without reference to the notes on a page. Meaning: Playing something by ear means that rather than sticking to a defined plan, you will see how things go and decide on a course of action as you go along.Įxample: “What time shall we go shopping?” “Let’s see how the weather looks and play it by ear.” Learning a language is a little like learning an instrument and just like an instrument, there are some fiddly bits!.

#MAD HATTER SAYINGS HOW TO#

In this article, we’ll look at a number of these interesting idioms and teach you where the expressions came from – and more importantly, how to use them. Knowing a bit about the origins of these sayings is helpful in cementing these language nuggets in the mind. As native speakers, we use them without even thinking about where they come from but to a student trying to learn English, they can be deeply confusing.

Mad hatter sayings