Savanna Cowles | Contributing Writer
- “The bee’s knees”
Origin: First used in the 1920s, meaning small and insignificant. Modern usage indicates an “outstanding” person or thing.
Why we should still use it: It’s fun and retro. For example, “Your new hairdo is the bee’s knees.”
- “Close, but no cigar”
Origin: Mid-20th century fairs gave out cigars as prizes; first recorded in the 1935 film “Annie Oakley.”
Meaning: To fall short of a successful outcome.
Why we should still use it: It’s a classic and a charming way to tell people they’ve failed.
- “A watched pot never boils”
Origin: Unclear.
Meaning: Things will happen in time and impatience makes the wait pass more slowly.
Why we should use it: It’s relevant to most life situations and self-explanatory.
- “Focus your audio”
Origin: Beatnick 1950s slang.
Meaning: Listen carefully.
Why we should use it: It’s a creative yet assertive way to notify someone that you need to tell them something important.
- “Zonk on the head”
Origin: Beatnik 1950s slang
Meaning: A bad thing.
Why we should use it: It is a better way to express distress. For example, “The storm knocked the power out, but the real zonk on the head was when the hail broke my window.”
- “Don’t sell me a dog”
Origin: Popular until about 1870; people who sold dogs back then often tried to pass off mutts as purebreds.
Meaning: “Don’t lie to me.”
Why we should use it: It’s a bizarre way to tell someone to be honest.