Phrases. Clichés, Expressions & Sayings @ joe-ks.com

Phrases. Clichés, Expressions & Sayings
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You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink

Meaning: You can encourage, but not force, someone to do something.

Example: Bill lead his horse to the banks of a cool, fresh spring but the stubborn horse wouldn't drink.

Origin: This expression was first used in the 12th century, when riding a horse was the main way of traveling long distances. A horse owner knew that an animal needed a drink of water, especially after a long ride on a hot day. For centuries that truth has been applied to people who do what they want to, even though you try to persuade them otherwise.

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You're no spring chicken

Meaning: You're not young anymore; you're past your prime.

Example: George Walsh is no spring chicken, but he certainly knows the cruise industry.

Origin: Until recent generations, there were no incubators and few warm hen houses, which meant that chicks couldn't be raised during winter. New England growers found that those born in the spring brought premium prices in the summer market places. When Yankee traders tried to pass off old birds as part of the spring crop, smart buyers would protest that the bird was 'no spring chicken.'

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Your level best

Meaning: To do as best as you can under the given circumstances.

Example: Without a hi-speed ADSL internet connection, Barry did his level best to keep up with all of the latest groaners @ joe-ks.com!

Origin: "Level" refers to an underground seam (or level) found in a mine - originally referring to 19th century California gold mines.

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Your name is mud

Meaning: Someone who is unpopular.

Example: If Jack doesn't pay for the support of his child, his name is mud.

Origin: This phrase comes from an 1823 slang dictionary - 'And his name is mud!', used at the conclusion of a silly oration, or of a leader. The phrase appears to be one of the many that, when a news story arises, match the jist of a story and later become associated with it.
Alternative: John Wilkes Booth broke his leg while escaping after shooting Abraham Lincoln. He was given medical help by Dr Samuel Mudd, who didn't then know about the assassination. Mudd was wrongly convicted of being Booth's conspirator. Actually the phrase was in wide circulation before Mudd was defamed (Mudd was born in 1830).

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*Meaning:*	You can encourage, but not force, someone to do something.
*Example:*	Bill lead his horse to the banks of a cool, fresh spring but the stubborn horse wouldn't drink.
*Origin:*	This expression was first used in the 12th century, when riding a horse was the main way of traveling long distances. A horse owner knew that an animal needed a drink of water, especially after a long ride on a hot day. For centuries that truth has been applied to people who do what they want to, even though you try to persuade them otherwise.

*Meaning:*	You're not young anymore; you're past your prime.
*Example:*	George Walsh is no spring chicken, but he certainly knows the cruise industry.
*Origin:*	Until recent generations, there were no incubators and few warm hen houses, which meant that chicks couldn't be raised during winter. New England growers found that those born in the spring brought premium prices in the summer market places. When Yankee traders tried to pass off old birds as part of the spring crop, smart buyers would protest that the bird was 'no spring chicken.'

*Meaning:*	To do as best as you can under the given circumstances.
*Example:*	Without a hi-speed ADSL internet connection, Barry did his level best to keep up with all of the latest groaners @ joe-ks.com!
*Origin:*	"Level" refers to an underground seam (or level) found in a mine - originally referring to 19th century California gold mines.

*Meaning:*	Someone who is unpopular.
*Example:*	If Jack doesn't pay for the support of his child, his name is mud.
*Origin:*	This phrase comes from an 1823 slang dictionary - 'And his name is mud!', used at the conclusion of a silly oration, or of a leader. The phrase appears to be one of the many that, when a news story arises, match the jist of a story and later become associated with it. Alternative: John Wilkes Booth broke his leg while escaping after shooting Abraham Lincoln. He was given medical help by Dr Samuel Mudd, who didn't then know about the assassination. Mudd was wrongly convicted of being Booth's conspirator. Actually the phrase was in wide circulation before Mudd was defamed (Mudd was born in 1830).