by Chris Harris One of the more unexpected consequences of starting a podcast is that you eventually have to listen to yourself. At first, that sounds rather exciting because you've finally managed to record something, upload it successfully and put it out into the world. Friends and family say encouraging things, a few people listen, … Continue reading Learning to Stop Pausing with “Um” and “Erm” and Why We Say Them
Category: Eclectic Musings
Popular Idioms and Phrases: Hit the Nail on the Head
by Chris Harris Few English idioms are as satisfying as "hit the nail on the head." It is short, visual and instantly understood. We use it when somebody identifies a problem perfectly, explains something accurately or arrives at exactly the right conclusion.If a friend finally works out why a relationship failed, they have hit the … Continue reading Popular Idioms and Phrases: Hit the Nail on the Head
Popular Idioms and Phrases and Why We Say: Old Habits Die Hard: Where the Phrase Comes From and Why It Endures
by Chris Harris Origins and First Recorded Use “Old habits die hard” is one of those phrases that feels like it has always existed, and in many ways, it has. The exact wording dates back to 1837, when Nathaniel Hawthorne used it in his novel Fanshawe: “Old habits die hard.” That simple, direct phrasing has … Continue reading Popular Idioms and Phrases and Why We Say: Old Habits Die Hard: Where the Phrase Comes From and Why It Endures