Clothes
A feather in one’s cap
Meaning
A symbol of achievement.
Examples
Getting nominated for an Oscar is the biggest feather in a film actor’s cap.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
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A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning
Someone who uses the pretence of kindliness to disguise their evil intent.
Examples
He was 38 but tried to pass himself off as a thirteen year old in order to get a date with a schoolgirl – a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Where did it originate?
Aesop.
Where is it used?
Widely used.
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At the drop of a hat
Meaning
With no delay.
Examples
They were always ready to help. Just say the word and they’d be there at the drop of a hat.
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Daisy roots
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for boots.
Examples
I can’t get them on. Either my feet have got bigger or these daisies have shrunk.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Dicky Dirt
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for shirt.
Examples
Jane’s wedding today. I’ll need a newly pressed dickie dirt for that.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Double denim
Meaning
Denim jeans worn with a denim shirt or jacket.
Examples
He only ever wears blue and usually it’s jeans and a shirt – the full double denim.
Where did it originate?
Britain, early 21st century.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain and Australia.
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Frock up
Meaning
Wear a smart or formal dress for a special occasion.
Examples
The boys all wore new suits for the formal and the girls frocked up.
Where did it originate?
Australia, 20th century.
Where is it used?
Most common in Australia, but spreading worldwide
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Hat trick
Meaning
A threefold feat in sports or some other activity.
Examples
Warne was really on good bowling form today – three wickets in three deliveries. That’s the first hat-trick in the match.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Men in suits
Meaning
Conventionally minded and dressed men who hold positions of authority. Also called just ‘suits’.
Examples
Everyone in the office wanted a Santas and Elves party on Christmas Eve, but the suits said no.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1930s.
Where is it used?
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Nip slip
Meaning
The inadvertent exposure of a womans nipple.
Examples
Wearing a low cut dress like that, a nip slip was almost inevitable.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly USA and UK and not amongst the older generations.
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Rags to riches
Meaning
From poverty to wealth.
Examples
J K Rowling was on benefits when she wrote Harry Potter. That’s a real rags to riches story.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century.
Where is it used?
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Side boob
Meaning
The side of a female breast revealed by skimpy clothing.
Examples
That T-shirt is way too loose on Jane. She’s showing acres of side boob.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, amongst the younger generations.
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Sniff test
Meaning
Sniff an item of clothing (or food) to check if it might be suitable to wear (or eat).
Examples
I’ve worn that shirt before but when I gave the underarms the sniff test I thought I’d be okay to wear it again.
Where did it originate?
Late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain, but becoming more common elsewhere.
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The bull in the bowler hat
Meaning
Jokey term for artificial insemination.
Examples
Leaving things to nature hasn’t worked down here on the farm – only 10% of the cows are pregnant. We need a visit from the bull in the bowler hat.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Titfer tat
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for hat.
Examples
It looks like rain – I think I’ll need a coat and my titfer.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Wardrobe malfunction
Meaning
Referring to an item of clothing slipping out of place to expose part of the body.
Examples
Her top slipped down in front of the boys. She said it was a wardrobe malfunction but I think it was deliberate.
Where did it originate?
USA. First said by Justin Timberlake to explain the inadvertent exposure of Janet Jackson’s breast during the half-time show at the 2004 Super Bowl.
Where is it used?
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Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning
Openly express your emotions.
Examples
He went on his knees in the town square and sang her a love song. You can’t say that he doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although somewhat old-fashioned.
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Whistle and flute
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for suit.
Examples
That important interview is coming up next week. I think I ought to get a new whistle.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Winter drawers on
Meaning
British euphemistic joke.
Examples
Autumn is over and these summer clothes aren’t keeping the cold out – winter drawers on I suppose.
Where did it originate?
Britain, early 20th century. A pun on the expression ‘winter draws on’ (that is, winter is approaching). ‘Drawers’ is a British slang term for knickers.
Where is it used?
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Yarn bombing
Meaning
The adorning of public buildings with knitted or crocheted material – either for fun or to make a political point.
Examples
We wanted to draw attention to the trees that the council planned to cut down so we got the local guerrilla knitters to yarn bomb them for us.
Where did it originate?
Britain, early 21st century.
Where is it used?
Initially mostly Britain but quickly spreading to others countries.
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Zip your lip
Meaning
Say nothing; keep your mouth shut. Often shortened to ‘zip it’.
Examples
I saw Kevin put sneezing powder in the staff room but he told me to zip my lip about it or it would spoil the joke.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1940s. Deriving from the allusion to closing a garment with a zipper.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but most common in the USA.
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