Where Everyday Phrases Come From

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. To make financial gain with little or no effort, outlay, or by trickery is often referred to as "money for old rope". Where does this phrase come from? Public execution by hanging The exchange of fit for unfit persons by slave traders after the deal was struck Pilfering from ships or dockyards by sailors to supplement their wages A sleight of hand game performed by pavement artists to relieve you of your cash

2. One who hands responsibility onto another is said to be "passing the buck". From where do we get this expression? Gambling Eating and drinking Hunting Team sports

3. Purchase 13 of anything and you are said to have bought a "baker´s dozen". But does this really have anything to do with bread, cakes etc? Yes No

4. To settle a debt is often described as "weighing in" with the goods or money owed. This phrase comes from the world of sport, but which sport in particular? Baseball Running Swimming Horse racing

5. One who undertakes something with little or no preparation is often said to be "winging it". From where do we get the expression, to "wing it"? Trusting in a higher power, as in "on a wing and a prayer" Damaged aircraft struggling home Actors giving impromptu performances Birds winging their way across the sky

6. If you are obsessed with a particular issue, or harbour a grievance and are quick to take offense because of it, you are accused of having a "chip on your shoulder". What are we on about here? A chip of wood placed on your shoulder Affliction perculiar to bricklayers caused by hod-carrying An early anti-junk food advertising campaign A scientific term - from the computer world

7. To “strike while the iron´s hot” is to seize the moment, to take advantage of favourable circumstances while you may. From where do we get this turn of phrase? Ironing clothes at the perfect temperature setting for optimum smoothness The blacksmith´s shop and the working of metal Going on strike for higher pay just as a big order comes in A battle tactic whereby a damaged ship is shelled until it is sunk

8. To avoid coming to the point when discussing a particular issue is to “beat about the bush”. This one´s origins really do lie in the assault of undergrowth. True False

9. Where does the phrase “saved by the bell”, meaning to be rescued from a situation just before it´s too late, originate? A rescue at sea A boxing match A sentry falling asleep A near-disaster on the New York Stock Exchange

10. If all this quizzing has exhausted you, you may well “sleep like a top” when you go to bed. Any idea where this quaint expression has its roots? Corruption of “sleep like a toff”, or member of the upper classes Corruption of “sleep like a toper” i.e. a drunken slumber Sentries in high defensive positions being safer from attack A child´s toy – a spinning top