Lexical Compendium
Wait... what is this? Sometimes I come across a word, phrase, idiom, quote, reference, bit of slang, person of interest, etc that either I don't know or I find amusing, interesting, etc. This is a collection of those items so that I can refer back to them in emails, texts, etc.
Recent Entries:
loma abajo y sin frenos
I ran across the idiom loma abajo y sin frenos in an SNL sketch [1] about kids in a Spanish class.
It's a Cuban idiom that literally translates to "downhill without brakes." It is used to describe something that has gone "out of control," but is usually used in a romantic context to describe completely falling for someone (Me tienes loma abajo y sin frenos -- "You have me downhill and with no brakes").
I could not find the origin of this idiom.
(link to this entry)
References:
- YouTube: SNL Skit "Spanish Class" Reference ID youtube-snl-spanish-class
Date Added:
no tener pelos en la lengua
This Spanish idiom literally translates to "to not have hairs on the tongue." The idiom is used to refer to someone who is outspoken, i.e. does not mince words.
For example:
No me gustó su pintura y le dije; yo no tenia pelos en la lengua.: I didn't like his painting and I told him so; I didn't mince words.
Interestingly, this idiom also exists in other languages. It means roughly the same thing in Italian, Welsh, and Croatian
The concept also exists in Greek and Turkish where it means "I'm tired of repeating myself."
While walking down the street, I heard two people talking about this idiom and it compelled me to research it. Idioms are great, aren't they?
(link to this entry)
References:
- Greek idiom "my tongue has grown hair" Reference ID greek-idiom-my-tongue-has-grown-hair
- Definition: no tener pelos en la lengua Reference ID definition-no-tener-pelos-en-la-lengua
- Podcast: A Way With Words - The Idiom to Have Hair on Your Tongue Reference ID podcast-a-way-with-words
Date Added: