Where does the phrase a bone to pick come from?
Most sources state that this expression comes from a dog trying to pick off the meat from a bone, and one connotation of this idiom is trying to solve a difficult time-consuming problem. This is likely related to the fact that dogs often gnaw on a bone for very long periods of time, even when most of the meat is gone.
What does pick a bone mean?
To fight, quarrel, or squabble with someone, usually over a specific point.
What is the Latin for bone?
osseus
bone meaning in Latin
| English | Latin |
|---|---|
| bone noun | os [ossis] ▼ noun (3rd) N ossum [ossi] ▼ noun (2nd) N |
| bone-, made/consisting of bone adjective | osseus [ossea, osseum] ▼ adjective |
| bone-by-bone adverb | ossiculatim ▼ adverb |
| bone-like adjective | osseus [ossea, osseum] ▼ adjective |
What does it mean to want someone to the bone?
The meaning of this idiom is. to the bone. as completely as possible. It can apply not only to love. To match that meaning with “love someone too much”, you would have to use either specific context or specific attitude.
What does drop a hat mean?
Immediately, without delay
Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [ Late 1800s]
What does the saying mean take it with a grain of salt?
a skeptical attitude
Definition of grain of salt : a skeptical attitude —used in the phrase take (something) with a grain/pinch of salt I take the guidebooks with a grain of salt, preferring to follow my instincts.—
Who named all the bones?
“Sure, there were texts, but the ancient world was very oral, and the people learning this stuff have to remember it.” So the Greek scholars, and later Roman and medieval scholars, named bones and organs and muscles after what they looked like.
What is the plural of bone?
1 bone /ˈboʊn/ noun. plural bones.
What is a bone kink?
The joints (spinal bones) lock up. This is called a facet joint lock, otherwise known to the layperson as a kink in the neck. Routine activities in your job can cause a kink in the neck. This is a simple musculoskeletal injury.
What does dont bat an eye mean?
US, informal. : to show no surprise, fear, concern, etc. He thought the news would make her upset, but she never batted an eye.
What does a NY minute mean?
Definition of New York minute US, informal. : a very brief span of time : instant, flash If he asks if everything is to your liking, he does it in a tone that suggests he’ll fix any little thing that’s wrong in a New York minute.—
What does pull the wool over someones eyes mean?
to trick or deceive someone
informal. : to trick or deceive someone : to hide the truth from someone He was too clever to let them pull the wool over his eyes.
What is the origin of the phrase’bone of contention’?
To have a bone to pick (1560s) is an image from dogs struggling to crack or gnaw a bone (to pick a bone “strip a bone by picking or gnawing” is attested from late 15c.); bone of contention (1560s) is from two dogs fighting over a bone; the images seem to have become somewhat merged. Also compare bones.
What is the origin of the word bone?
bone (n.) Old English ban “bone, tusk, hard animal tissue forming the substance of the skeleton; one of the parts which make up the skeleton,” from Proto-Germanic *bainan (source also of Old Frisian and Old Saxon ben, Old Norse bein, Danish ben, German Bein).
What is a bone-shaker?
Bone-shaker (1874) was an old name for the early type of bicycle, before the adoption of rubber tires, etc. “remove the bones of,” late 15c., from bone (n.).