Here is another collection of sayings we use and why we use them:
"Nothing to write home about"
This is a saying used when there isn't special to discuss. Most believe this saying originated in the late 1800s, possibly from troops who were stationed far from home and really didn't have anything to write home about.
"Have a wild hair"
Dates back to the 1950s and means when someone is going to doing something out of their normal behavior.
"Fresh as a daisy"
Daisies are big, bright, happy-looking flowers. They stand upright on strong stems. So, if we describe someone as being “fresh as a daisy” we mean they seem well-rested and full of energy. We often say we are fresh as a daisy after resting or getting cleaned up."It's raining cats and dogs"
This is what some people describe as a heavy downpour or storm. The phrase could have been originated with Norse mythology from medieval superstitions when dead animals in the streets of Britain were being picked up by storm waters.
"Clean as a whistle"
People use this term to describe something that is totally finished or thoroughly completed. It is believed to have originated in the 19th century to describe the whistling sound of a sword as it made a swishing sound through the air.
"Up to snuff"
Is used when describing something or someone who is meeting an expected standard. The earliest known use of the phrase can be traced back to an 1807 London newspaper which read: "asked a young lady if she would have a pinch of snuff and on...in the negative, he facetiously observed ...suppose you are up to snuff."
"Cost an arm and a leg"
This is how we describe something that is very expensive. This phrase originated from America after World War II. During the war, many servicemen lost arms and legs, so they paid the price with "an arm and a leg".
"Hit the ground running"
Used to describe when someone immediately begins an activity. The phrase comes from a description of troops in combat when they started running as soon as they got off of a plane, train or other vehicle so they wouldn't get shot. It is believed that in World War II, paratroopers were given this command as to what to do when they landed.
"Right as rain"
We used this phrase to describe when something is definite or true. It is believed to have started in Britain during the late 19th century. It plays on the expected nature of rain in Britain's notoriously damp climate. You could always rely on it to rain there because it was normal.
"Mosey on over"
This is to describe the laid-back way to move from one place to another. It originated from the British slang mose - "to go about in a dull, stupid way."
