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A red rag to a bull
Meaning
A deliberate provocation.
Examples
Telling Putin that he is macho as a response to being small in stature was like a red rag to a bull.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom. An allusion to bullfighting, where the bull is provoked by a waved cloth.
Where is it used?
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Amber nectar
Meaning
A slang term for lager.
Examples
I’ve been in the outback all day rounding up sheep and my throat’s as dry as a pommies towel. I’m just about ready to sink a few tinnies of the amber nectar.
Where did it originate?
Originally the USA but only becoming widely used following its use as an advertising slogan by Foster’s Lager, initially in Australia.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but rarely by the over 60s.
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Brown out
Meaning
1. A partial failure of the electricity supply. 2. The exposing of one’s buttocks in public.
Examples
1. After the lightning struck there was a puff of smoke and everything went dim. Looks like a brown out.
Where did it originate?
Australia.
Where is it used?
Common in Australia, but used elsewhere too.
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Cherry ripe
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for pipe.
Examples
Get me twenty cigarettes while you are out would you? – and some tobacco for my cherry ripe.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Dead white European male
Meaning
Derogatory reference to someone who has an unjustified reputation.
Examples
John Ruskin is a hero to some people in the art world but I can’t see him as anything other than a dead, white, European male.
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Get a gold star
Meaning
Earn a merit point for doing well.
Examples
Well done Juliet. 100% in your maths test = you are due a gold star.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century. First found in the US magazine The Ladies’ Home Journal.
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Ginger Beer
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for queer.
Examples
Julian is ginger – and I don’t mean that he’s got red hair.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Mellow yellow
Meaning
Dried banana peel, used as an intoxicant.
Examples
He’s tried everything else – grass, acid, speed, magic mushrooms. Now he’s started on mellow yellow.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1960s. Referred to in the Donovan song of the same name, as ‘electrical banana’.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, as the song title although few are aware of the drug connection.
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Once in a blue moon
Meaning
A rare occurrence.
Examples
West Bromwich Albion have won the cup. but only every once in a blue moon.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Paint the town red
Meaning
Go on a boisterous or exuberant spree
Examples
It’s the last day of term and everyone wants to party. Why don’t we paint the town red?
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although considered rather old fashioned language
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Red letter day
Meaning
A significant, important or happy day.
Examples
Mom will be a hundred years old on the 23rd. That’s a real red-letter day for the family.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 15th century.
Where is it used?
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Red tape
Meaning
Bureaucracy, especially in public business.
Examples
It’s hardly worth applying for a grant from the council. There’s so much red tape to contend with it will take years.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 18th century.
Where is it used?
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Silver bullet
Meaning
A simple and seeming effortless solution to a difficult problem.
Examples
We are thousands in debt. That loan seemed to be the silver bullet that would sort out our problems, but it really wasn’t.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1950s.
Where is it used?
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Silver fox
Meaning
A handsome grey-haired man.
Examples
Richard Gere used to be the typical matinee idol. These days he’s a real silver fox.
Where is it used?
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Silver surfer
Meaning
An older person who uses the World Wide Web.
Examples
Granny didn’t want the iPad we bought her but since we showed her how to Skype the kids in Australia she’s become a real silver surfer.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Silver threads amongst the gold
Meaning
Blonde hair that is turning grey.
Examples
Thirty years ago Janine had strawberry blonde hair. These days she’s going grey, or as she prefers to say silver threads among the gold.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but rather old-fashioned.
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Silver tongued
Meaning
Eloquent or persuasive manner of speech.
Examples
Reagan didn’t always have much in the way of policies but he certainly could hold a crowd with his silver tongued speeches.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century.
Where is it used?
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White elephant
Meaning
An object that appears magnificent but which is a burdensome financial liability.
Examples
The Empire State Building was a remarkable achievement but, for years after it was built, it had few tenants and was really a white elephant for its developers.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
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