Where do odd expressions come from?

15 years ago

Where do odd expressions begin? And why??

We were talking with a friend the other day and the expression "monkey shines" was used. I wondered where that began and what does it really refer to. I know that it means trickery or foolishness...but what are it's roots?

Does anyone have a good resource for odd expressions?

I don't want the definition as much as some backstory on them.

Thanks !

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Comments (9)

junek-2009
15 years ago
I would just ask Google "meaning of monkey shines" or any other saying. It will tell you all. I Love Google.
yoyobon_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, but I know the meaning.
I was just wondering how I could find out where it came from and why the expression exists.

Actually there are many expressions which are so odd that I'd like to know when they began and why.
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desta
15 years ago
I did a Google search for "origin expression monkey shines." Found a site which discusses origin, as well as that of a number of other such phrases, as well other such sites.
dido1
15 years ago
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable isn't bad on meaning and possible origin.
yoyobon_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for the help!
annpan
15 years ago
I recently came across "The Word Detective" site. Very informative. I was looking for the origin of "Busman's Holiday" after reading "Busman's Honeymoon" and got a good explanation there.
ginny12
15 years ago
The Oxford English Dictionary is often the last resort of such explanations. My library has a hard copy but I think you can get it online, for a price.

Once you start reading the OED, life as you know it ends. You just can't stop!
kkay_md
15 years ago
I subscribe to "A Phrase a Week" online, which provides both the meaning of an expression, as well as its possible origins (a recent phrase was "Mind your Ps and Qs"). It's out of the UK, and I always enjoy reading it.

www.phrases.org.uk/a-phrase-a-week/add.html
lemonhead101
15 years ago
I have a couple of history of phrases books, but both are from England so they have a heavy UK emphasis...

* Red Herrings and White Elephants - Albert Jack
* POSH... and Other Language Myths - Michael Quinion

They are both interesting to pick up and put down...

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Where do odd expressions come from?

Comments (9)

junek-2009

yoyobon_gw
Original Author

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Where do odd expressions come from?

Comments (9)

junek-2009

yoyobon_gwOriginal Author

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desta

dido1

yoyobon_gwOriginal Author

annpan

ginny12

kkay_md

lemonhead101

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yoyobon_gw
Original Author

yoyobon_gw
Original Author