Family
A house divided against itself cannot stand
Meaning
Failure is certain if those on the same side argue amongst themselves.
Examples
The Tory party can’t stop arguing over Europe. Don’t they know that a house divided cannot stand.
Where did it originate?
Biblical.
Where is it used?
Widespread but uncommon. Rather formal for everyday speech.
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Alpha Mom
Meaning
An ambitious mother who aims to excel at work while raising children.
Examples
She has two kids and is desperate to get the top job to save to get them into private school – a real alpha mom.
Where did it originate?
USA. A late 20th century adaptation of ‘alpha male’, which emerged in the 1930s.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but more in the USA than elsewhere.
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Baby brain
Meaning
Confusion or forgetfulness caused by lack of sleep when caring for a new-born.
Examples
I put baby Julie’s bottle of milk away in the oven today – must be baby brain.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Baby bump
Meaning
The protruding belly of a pregnant woman. Also used to describe the unborn child itself.
Examples
Joan doesn’t really want to make it public that she was pregnant but pretty soon her baby bump is going to make it obvious.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 1980s
Where is it used?
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Blood blister
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for sister.
Examples
There were five of us at home – three brothers and two blood blisters.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Blood is thicker than water
Meaning
Family loyalties are stronger than those to other people.
Examples
It was just me and his son in the job interview. I had no chance, blood is thicker than water you know.
Where did it originate?
Britain. Probably coined by Sir Walter Scott, 1815.
Where is it used?
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Breast is best
Meaning
Slogan of breastfeeding campaign.
Examples
I bottle-fed all my kids. I know they say breast is best but they all lived to tell the tale.
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Bricks and mortar
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for daughter.
Examples
The girls got into trouble but her mother and I still love them – they are our bricks and mortars after all.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Evil twin
Meaning
An imaginary double, humorously referred to in order to explain the uncharacteristic bad behaviour of a normally moral person. Usually used light-heartedly. The expression formed as an allusion to plots in films involving actual evil twins.
Examples
Jane’s such a good girl and I took it as read that she would come to the wedding dressed appropriately, but she’s turned up in full goth makeup. At first I thought it must have been her evil twin.
Where did it originate?
USA, 2004.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but mostly amongst the young and hip.
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Flesh and blood
Meaning
1 – One’s family. 2 – the bodily stuff we are made of.
Examples
1 – We aren’t putting Dad into a home. He is our flesh and blood after all. 2 – It’s so hot in here – almost more than flesh and blood can stand.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 10th century, from a biblical source.
Where is it used?
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Mums the word
Meaning
Keep quiet. Say nothing.
Examples
I’m telling you this in confidence – remember, mums the word.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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My old Dutch
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for duchess.
Examples
This year will be our silver wedding, the old dutch and me.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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New arrival
Meaning
Colloquial term for a new-born baby.
Examples
Jill’s gone into labour. When it comes the new arrival will be her third child.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Quality time
Meaning
Time spent with a child, spouse or friend in an uninterrupted and attentive way.
Examples
I’ve been working 12 hours a day this week and haven’t been home once for the toddler’s bedtime. This weekend I’m going to give them some quality time and take them to the zoo
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Son of a gun
Meaning
A rogue.
Examples
He was always up to mischief at school – the real class son of a gun.
Where did it originate?
Coined in the 1800s, in either the USA or Britain – no one is sure about the origin.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but rather old-fashioned.
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Spitting image
Meaning
The exact likeness.
Examples
I could have picked them out as father and son in a football crowd. They were the spitting image of each other.
Where did it originate?
Britain – date uncertain.
Where is it used?
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Tie the knot
Meaning
Get married.
Examples
Jane’s been pressing Jim to get married for years. They’re finally tying the knot this weekend.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century, alluding to a marriage custom that goes back to at least the 13th century.
Where is it used?
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Trouble and strife
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for wife.
Examples
Twenty years we’ve been married now, the trouble and strife and myself.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Uncle Dick
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for sick.
Examples
Sorry, I won’t be into work today. I’ll feeling Uncle Dick.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Uncle Tom
Meaning
A derogatory term for a black man who is servile towards white men.
Examples
Randy never stands up for us blacks. In the old days we’d have called him an Uncle Tom – these days people call him a coconut (that is, brown on the outside but white on the inside).
Where did it originate?
USA, 1920s. Derived from the name of the hero in the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but most common in the USA.
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Unlucky in love
Meaning
Having been unable to find a long-term romantic partner.
Examples
Jane’s so unlucky in love. That’s the third time she’s been engaged only to have it broken off.
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