Where did the term fair and square come from?

The earliest known use of the phrase fair and square was in an essay written by Francis Bacon called Of Prophecies, written in 1604: “Faire, and square. The gamester calls fooles holy-day.”

What does the saying fair and square mean?

in an honest and fair manner
Definition of fair and square : in an honest and fair manner He won the election fair and square.

Where did the word square come from?

square (adj.) early 14c., “containing four equal sides and right angles,” from square (n.), or from Old French esquarre, past participle of esquarrer. Meaning “honest, fair,” is first attested 1560s; that of “straight, direct” is from 1804.

Where does the phrase hide nor hair come from?

The term, which dates from Chaucer’s time, alludes to the fact that the outside of an animal is made up of hide and hair, which therefore constitute its entirety. The negative version, nearly always meaning that something or someone cannot be seen or found, became common in the mid-nineteenth century.

What does the phrase white elephant mean?

Today, the term ‘white elephant’ denotes any burdensome, expensive and useless possession that is much more trouble than it is worth. The origins of the phrase come from Siam (modern-day Thailand). Advertisement.

What does the idiom feeling under the weather mean?

Indisposed, unwell
Indisposed, unwell: “The day after the big party, Jay had to call in sick, saying he was feeling under the weather.”

Why is square an insult?

The sense of square as a derogatory reference to someone conventional or old-fashioned dates to the jazz scene of the 1940s; the first known reference is from 1944. There it applied to someone who failed to appreciate the medium of jazz, or more broadly, someone whose tastes were out of date and out of touch.

What does the slang term square mean?

Square has been slang for cigarettes since at least the 1960s. According to Green’s Dictionary of Slang, square originates as prison slang for factory-made cigarettes, whether issued in prison or sold commercially. And why would cigarettes—which are not at all rectangular in shape—be dubbed squares?

What does no skin off my nose mean?

Definition of no skin off someone’s nose —used to say that someone does not care or does not have a strong opinion about something Go if you like—it’s no skin off my nose.

What is the meaning of the best of both worlds?

Definition of the best of both worlds : all the advantages of two different situations and none of the disadvantages I have the best of both worlds—a wonderful family and a great job.

Why is it called Yankee Swap?

A more heart-warming origin claim is that Americans – once called “Yankees” by immigrants in New York City – would give each other trivial gifts in marketplaces. It was, quite literally, “Yankees Swapping gifts.” Today, Yankee Swap is practiced across the globe – reaching far beyond the Big Apple.

What is the meaning out of the frying pan and into the fire?

Out of the frying pan, into the fire is a phrase that means to go from a bad situation to a situation that is even worse.

Is the cat out of the bag meaning?

To disclose a secret: “The mayor’s visit was to be kept strictly confidential, but someone must have let the cat out of the bag, because the airport was swarming with reporters.”

What did square mean in the 70s?

Square is slang for a person who is conventional and old-fashioned, similar to a Fuddy-duddy. This sense of the word “square” originated with the American jazz community in the 1940s, in reference to people out of touch with musical trends.

What does it mean to call someone a ham?

An actor who is overly theatrical – in other words, ‘overacts’ – is usually referred to as ‘ham’. He does such a bad job that the audience ends up laughing. The word is frequently used in everyday contexts to refer to someone who likes to draw attention to himself by being overly dramatic.

Where did the phrase “under the weather” come from?

When someone is feeling sick or sad, they might describe themselves as being “under the weather.” Where did this common phrase come from? Its origin may have to do with sailing.

What is the origin of the expression “You are Fair and square”?

This expression, recorded since the early seventeenth century, owes its appeal to its rhyme and has survived despite its tautology (“square” here means the same as “fair,” surviving in such phrases as “a square deal”). “You are fair and square in all your dealings,” wrote William Wycherley ( The Gentleman Dancing Master, 1673).

What is the origin of the idiom’under the weather’?

I’m feeling a bit under the weather.” Interesting fact Not surprisingly, the origin of the idiom ‘under the weather’ can be traced back to maritime sources. In the old days, sailors who weren’t feeling well were often sent below deck, so they could get out of the weather. The term we use today has been shortened though; originally,…

What is the origin of the word’fair’?

Old English fægere “beautifully,” from fæger “beautiful” (see fair (adj.)). From c.1300 as “honorably;” mid-14c. as “correctly; direct;” from 1510s as “clearly.”. Fair and square is from c.1600. This may have been first used in construction or in business dealings.