"Don't Take Any Wooden Nickles".....


1930's Depression-era expression relating to privately minted wooden tokens which resembled coins but were used as commemorative or promotional items.

Do not permit yourself be cheated or duped; do not be naive.

"Going Dutch"..........

"Going Dutch"

To evenly split the cost of a group expense, like a meal.

The origin of the phrase is unknown, but there is one explanation. In the 17th century, the Dutch were hated commercial rivals of the British, and have been a verbal target for them since. Anyone who "went Dutch" may have been considered a tightwad. Not surprisingly, the Dutch don't seem to love this phrase.

"Bee's Knees"........


An extraordinary person, thing or idea.

"Big Cheese"..........

The boss, someone of importance and influence.

"A Clip Joint.............

Anyplace where the prices seem higher and patrons feel they are being fleeced.

"To Carry A Torch For".................




Suffering from an unrequited love.

"Drop A Dime".......


Make a phone call, sometimes meaning to the police to inform on someone.

"To Be Taken For A Ride...............


To have been deceived, cheated, or swindled by someone.

"Make Do".............



To do as well as possible with something you already have. Live within your means.

"Above my Pay Grade",,,,,,



Don’t ask me I just work here I'm not paid enough to know that!

"Don't Flip Your Wig".;........


Lose control of yourself.

"A Real Humdinger"....


Anyone or anything that is remarkable, outstanding.

"Jeepers Creepers"...........


An interjection of surprise or delight. The equivalent of “no kidding!” or “wow!” depending on the context.


The phrase came from a 1938 popular song first sung by Louis “Sachmo” Armstrong in the movie Going Places. The chorus began, “Jeepers Creepers, where'd ya get those peepers? Jeepers Creepers, where'd ya get those eyes?”

Don't shoot until you see the white's of their eyes...

Literally, let the enemy come extremely close before shooting, save your ammo.

Keeping Your Hands Clean' .....


Be innocent of any wrongdoing; stay out of trouble.

Origin however is an 18th century English phrase which referred specifically to the avoidance of corruption. Moral authorities of the time would have shuddered to use the word masturbation, but that is probably what they were getting at.

"Hotter Than Dutch Love"...............


Any romance that is pretty damn hot I am guessing........

"On A Toot".......


A drunken spree.

"Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it"..


Pretty self-explanatory I would say!

Schlemiel and Schlimazel (Yiddish).......


Yes they used to sing it on the opening of Lavern & Shirley but.......Schlemiel and Schlimazel are two Yiddish terms often used in a comical, but sometimes biting sense of humor. A Schlemiel is an inept clumsy person and a Schlimazel is a very unlucky person.

"When In Rome"...............

Something that you say which means when you are visiting another country, you should behave like the people in that country. Adapt yourself to the customs or requirements of certain situations.

my grandmama used to say to me-
 

boys will be boys eva, but "why buy the cow when they can get the milk free?"

OMG my mother would stress "don't buy the cow when you can get the milk free" to my sister all the time when it came to dating/boys!

"A Cross To Bear".........


An unpleasant situation or responsibility that you must accept because you cannot change it

"Looking Through Rose Colored Glasses".....


If someone thinks about or looks at something with rose-colored glasses, they think it is more pleasant than it really is. Not looking at things realistically.

"Off Your Rocker"....................

Crazy,or insane..............

"As nutty as a fruitcake"..........


Silly, crazy.

"Slower than molasses in January"...............


Very slow.

"Mermaids don't lose sleep over the opinions of shrimp".


It means that strong and confident people don't care or lose sleep over thinking about something that someone weak and insecure thinks or has said.

.....Fever Pitch.....

Meaning: a state of intense excitement.

Example (2):

1) the football crowd, after the touch down play, reached fever pitch.

2) The aura on the dance floor, between the two dancers, reached fever pitch as they slowly ended their dance...

"Back to the salt mines"............


To go back to work (this is a humorous expression to express going back to unpleasant work).

"To cut the mustard"..(not to be confused with cut the cheese)



To succeed, to be able to do adequately what needs to be done.

"Eat Your Heart Out"....





To be envious of someone or something.

Had them eating out of my hands"....


To do what someone else wants.

"Throw Your Eyes Around".............( this may be somewhat regional)


To look around , take in what is happening near you! Being aware of your surroundings.

"Kicking and Screaming"..............


An unwillingness to do something.To force someone to go somewhere or do something against his or her will, especially when he or she protests against it vehemently and/or at great length!

"Shaking Like A Leaf".............


If you are shaking like a leaf, you are shaking a lot especially when you are very cold, nervous or frightened.

"Let's make like a bread truck and haul buns!"........

To exit one area and travel to another!

"A Slave To fashion".....



Someone who is a slave to fashion is someone who wears clothes and accessories solely because they are in style.

"Eye Catching".."To Catch Someone's Eye"..........


If something catches your eye or is eye-catching, it is exceptionally attractive or noticeable.

"Paint The Town Red"...........

To go on a reckless debauch,to be wildly extravagant to go out and enjoy yourself in the evening, often drinking a lot of alcohol and dancing is involved!


Originally, the metaphor applied to bonfires painting the sky or scenery red.