BALLYHOO BUCKAROO & SPUDSThe real story of a word or phrase’s origin and evolution is often much stranger—and much more humorous—than the commonly accepted one; the many entries will certainly leave you “happy as a clam.” Happy as a clam? Really, what’s so happy about being a clam? The saying makes much more sense when it’s paired with its missing second half: “at high water.” Now a clam at high water is a safe clam, and thus a happy clam. From the bawdy to the sublime, Quinion’s explanations and delightful asides truly prove that the “proof is in the pudding.” |
Other editions - View all
Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins Michael Quinion Limited preview - 2006 |
Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins Michael Quinion No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
abbreviation acronym actually applied argued associated Australian Barry Popik became borrowed brass brass monkey Britain British called card shark certainly comes common confusion connection corruption dates decades derives devil dialect drink Dutch eighteenth century Eric Partridge etymologists etymology explain expression famous folk etymology French word full monty Gerald Cohen German idea invented Irish Italian jazz kangaroo known language later Latin literally London looks meaning meant medieval newspaper nickname nineteenth century Old English Old French older one's origin Oxford English Dictionary perhaps person phrase plausible popular posh problem recorded reference rhyming slang Scots Second World War seems seventeenth century ship sixteenth century slang term sometimes sort Spanish spelling square story suggested supposedly sure teetotally theory Thomas Crapper tion told turned usually verb widely word history World Wide Words writers York