Here's our list of Old Norse words in English. On the serious side, the phrase is often used when the quitting brings physical symptoms of withdrawal, as with heroin or other highly addictive drugs. Right or wrong, t TIL that the phrase "going berserk" comes from the Norse "berserker": a word used to describe a group of wild, frenzied warriors who were said to have drawn their tremendous power and … To keep the oarsmen rowing in unison, a drummer beat time rhythmically on a block of wood. The Whirling Dervishes seem to be going berserk. But where the heck did it come from? Word and Phrase Origins. Back to Phrase of the Day Going Overboard. The latter developed both because ballistic missiles reached great heights and because they were prone to loss of control early in flight. It isn’t known who exactly started the phrase “going postal” but what is clear is that it was already a common phrase among Americans at that time. This is K•H•A•M, signing off. When it was time to rest or change shifts, he would give a special knock, signifying that they could knock off.” (From Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins Vol.2, by William and Mary Morris) Instead, it means: go west, young man: used as an encouragement to seek fortune in the American West; also in extended use. One theory is that food that had rotted and was not fit for human consumption was thrown to the dogs. Origin: This term has something in common with 'run amok'. Interesting fact. Hotels are apparently a favored stomping ground for the so-called "Soho Karen" who falsely accused a black teen of stealing her iPhone in a violent, caught-on-video confrontation in Manhattan. The phrase go to hell in a handbasket is an American phrase which came into general use during the American Civil War, though its popularity has spread into other countries. B. What is the origin of the phrase . What is the origin of ‘quiz’? - innovateus.net This is the origin of 'going berserk". Going overboard means to do too much, go over the top in excess. An example usage would be: And then he went apeshit over the prize he just won. That explains hell, as the ultimate bad destination, but why a handbasket, of all things? The two phrases, as well as sounding rather similar, mean virtually the same thing. A This is a weird one, which has puzzled and confused many writers. Break the ice. Interesting fact. Origin: This phrase comes from Greek mythology, where Thetis dipped her son Achilles in the Styx, a river that was believed to be a source of incredible power and invulnerability. The origin of the term go to hell in a handbasket is unknown, the assumption is that the word handbasket is a good source of alliteration. ... called the Flying Scud in which a character makes the excuse that he is going 'to see a man about a dog' to get away. However, Thethis was holding her son by his heel, meaning it was the only part of his body … Their sources though could hardly be further apart. The first recorded use of the phrase was in 1891 in The Light that Failed. Example: Maria’s restaurant has done well over the years, but her customer base has dried up recently. The author O. Henry—who spent many years in Texas, where he may have picked up the expression—used cut the mustard in his 1907 collection of short stories The Heart of the West : “I looked around and found a proposition that exactly cut the mustard.” Did You Know? The first part of the phrase refers to the nautical term “full and by,” meaning a boat was traveling into the wind. Berserk definition is - an ancient Scandinavian warrior frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable. The origin of the phrase ‘hell in a handbasket’ can be found in the practice of capturing the heads of guillotine victims in a basket, with the presumption being that these criminals would be going straight to hell for their crimes. 'Run amok' derives from the Far East, whereas 'go berserk' is of Viking (Norse) origin. Origin: In the olden days, when doctors were short on anesthesia or time during a battle, they would ask the patient to bite down on a bullet to distract from the pain. If you’ve ever asked similar questions, you’ll enjoy these word and phrase origins. The association of go with postal to indicate violence comes from similar crazy phrases: go berserk (1908), go crazy (1930), and go ballistic (1971). But, if that is the going ham origin point, it’s probably the first or only time in history that a bunch of “cool” rappers stole a phrase from nerdy ham radio operators. Going to the dogs describes something on the downgrade, something that is worse than it used to be, something that is deteriorating. The meaning is clear enough, that some situation is getting rapidly out of hand and is going downhill fast. Without the Vikings, English would be missing some awesome words like berserk, muck, skull, knife, and cake! Intrigue and Unsolved Mysteries. So, we have a possible origin for the phrase, though not necessarily one that seems to jive with the common understanding. In Psalm 17:8 the writer asks God 'keep me as the apple of your eye'. The origin of the term going to the dogs is in question. Share. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples How to use berserk in a sentence. The online etymology dictionary is the internet's go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms. The origin of this use is obscure; the allusion appears to be to commandos’ reputation for action, toughness, or resourcefulness rather than to any specific practice. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the meaning of telling someone to "go west" is not related to the phrase "going south". A lot of the English language seems to have been developed as some kind of elaborate practical joke. This phrase also comes from the Bible. Berserk definition, violently or destructively frenzied; wild; crazed; deranged: He suddenly went berserk. See more. Nick , London UK. Where did we get the term ‘flea market’? Origin: The phrase originally meant ‘swift and brutal murder’, and was first used in Macbeth. “That the cow ordinance is going to paint the town red before it ceases to protest and make trouble.” If the phrase originated from Henry’s anecdote in 1837, then why did it take until 1882 (nearly five decades later) for it to start appearing in print? You may expect it to originate from a work of literature or poem like many common phrases that are actually famous quotes from Shakespeare or other renowned authors. The earliest example we’ve found (“going berserk”) is from the April 6, 1894, issue of the Aspen (CO) Daily Times: “He never had the gold or diamond or colonial fever; instead of going berserk, he evidently preferred a frock coat and patent leathers.” (From an anonymous short story, “The Panic.” It was my mate Joe who said it first!! Example of use: Matt went overboard when he spent so much money on my birthday present. Not surprisingly, the origin of the idiom “go overboard” is nautical. Meaning: “Go for broke” is a phrase that means a person is putting forth effort to accomplish something, and there is an implied risk that if things go wrong, the person might experience loss in some way. Berserk definition: Berserk means crazy and out of control. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED – 2 nd edition, 1989) explains:. The origin of English place names. Strangely, the exact origin, or the moment when the phrase “It is what it is” was first coined, cannot be pinpointed. The expression “go bananas” is slang, and the origin is a bit harder to pin down. Ivor, London. I'd never heard it before he said it in 1995. What is the origin of the phrase "pear shaped"? It originated in the USA, apparently as a motto adopted by football coaches. It's full of little sayings and idioms that on their face make no sense at all, and if traced back to their origins are downright horrifying. Q From Brian Walker: Can you please tell me anything about the origin of the phrase going to hell in a handbasket?. … Macduff utters the words on hearing of the death of his wife and children. For me, this suggests that the origin of the phrase … It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and English as a second language. All four basically mean the same thing. ... Apeshit can therefore be traced to ape (in the "going ape" sense), just as batshit can be traced to batty or bats. The stereotype was undoubtedly due to several incidents involving postal workers from 1986 to 1993. On the other hand, “large” means the wind is coming from behind. The phrase when the going gets tough, the tough get(s) going, means pressure or adversity acts as a stimulus to the person(s) of strong character.. Improve this answer. The origin of the phrase "to go Dutch" is traced back to the 17th century when England and... How did "Go Dutch" originate? Origin: “[This phrase] originated in the days of slave galleys. Explains: years, but her customer base has dried up recently a drummer beat time rhythmically a. Wild ; crazed ; deranged: he suddenly went berserk to 1993: Can you tell... 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