|
- etymology - Where do shenanigans come from? - English Language . . .
Shenanigans, or shenanigan, also with several variant spellings, can be dated to 1855 USA in both the OED and Etymonline, but the OED simply says "Origin obscure" and Etymonline throws a few guesse
- Whats the origin of the common phrase I call shenanigans?
I've got a use of "call shenanigans" that dates to 1998, and I strongly suspect that, even if it isn't the earliest use, it's the source of the phrase's popularity over the last decade or so In " Cow Days," the thirteenth episode of the second season of South Park, the boys are at a carnival playing games which they come to suspect are rigged Kyle calls shenanigans, which brings Officer
- Is this a shenanigan? - English Language Usage Stack Exchange
Shenanigan is defined as "a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose " This seems to imply the person is conniving, whereas your situation seems to be a blatant lie, lacking the element of mischievousness
- How common is the term boondoggle? And what is its origin?
I’ve only heard it as a verb, but it’s definitely a well-established term The OED says etymology obscure—it has this from Word Study (2 Sept 1935): “Boondoggle was coined for another purpose by Robert H Link of Rochester Through his connection with scouting the word later came into general use as a name given to the braided leather lanyard made and worn by Boy Scouts”; but also
- St Patricks Day related phrase [closed] - English Language Usage . . .
1928 Sat Evening Post 10 Mar 11 2 The renunciation of Mr Coolidge was a distinct disappointment to the great mass of the Republican Party, and this left the way open for some astute shenanigan in various states
- expressions - English Language Usage Stack Exchange
shenanigan a A playful or mischievous act; a prank b Mischief; prankishness Often used in the plural reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others A person who performs shenanigans Apparently, the term shenanigans in the US is considered slang, and the phrase “call shenanigans” is used in some regions of
- etymology - What is the origin of cattywampus - English Language . . .
I'd love to read a more detailed account of the geographical migration of the word and evolution of its meaning along the lines you describe Bartlett in 1848 seem to think that catawampus illustrates a western U S tendency to invent to multisyllable nonsense words (like the later hornswoggle, skullduggery, shenanigan, and slang-whanger)
- Why isnt innard a word? - English Language Usage Stack Exchange
Innards is defined as "the internal organs of an animal" Then shouldn't "innard" denote a single internal organ? Or is this a case where a singular noun looks like a plural?
|
|
|