9 puzzling phrases and their meanings

Fifty years from now, will people know what “wardrobe malfunction,” “mullet,” and “right-sizing” mean?

As word connoisseurs, writers and editors are often fascinated with how language changes over time. Of particular interest are idioms and phrases that were once in common use but now puzzle us today.

Here are some phrases that require some word sleuthing:

(Expressions and definitions From Bees’ Knees and Barmy Armies: Origins of the Words and Phrases We Use Every Day by Harry Oliver )

1. Bee’s knees — someone or something particularly good, admirable (also, “the cat’s pajamas,” “the cat’s meow”); a cocktail with gin, lemon, and honey that dates back to the Prohibition. “Chambers” is my favorite dictionary; it’s the bees knees.

2. At sixes and sevens — to be in a state of confusion or disarray. The phrase came from the numbers on dice and cards. To gamble on these numbers was considered reckless. Daylight savings time puts everyone at sixes and sevens. 

3. Dog days — refers to the hottest period of the summer, July to mid-August. The dog days coincide with the rising of Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. In Texas, the dog days start in March.

4. Hack —a person who does low-grade work. From the Old English term “hackney,” which is an ordinary horse suitable for general use. One look at his writing samples, and we knew Southeby was a hack. 

5. Hatchet man — a person hired to carry out an unpleasant assignment, often requiring ruthlessness. The term was originally used to describe a person serving in the military whose job was to march in front of the troops and clear the way. With talk of layoffs, we wondered if Dana would be the hatchet man.

6. One-trick pony — a person who is good at one thing but fails to achieve success in another area. This phrase originally referred to a performing animal that only knows one trick. Since he only knew one song on the piano, Matthew was considered a one-trick pony .

7. Pearls before swine — to give something of value to those who will not understand or appreciate it. Originally a quotation from the Bible in Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Asking Andrew to read Shakespeare is like casting pearls before swine.

8. Pig in a poke— something bought or received without being seen; a commitment made to something unknown. A poke is a small sack. A dishonest farmer, claiming to be selling a young pig, might instead place a cat in the bag. Always ask for work samples before hiring a freelance writer. Otherwise, you could end up with a pig in a poke.

9. See a man about a horse — phrase used when you are unwilling to state your true destination. The saying comes from the 1866 play, “Flying Scud,” in which a character excuses himself from an uncomfortable situation by saying, “Excuse me Mr. Quail, I can’t stop; I’ve got to see a man about a dog.” I’ll miss this week’s 401k meeting. I need to see a man about a horse.

Do you have any favorite expressions to add to the list?