I recently watched a fascinating and shocking TV documentary called ‘Dirty Business’. The subject was the terrible state of the UK’s rivers and seas, and the title has a double meaning. On the one hand, it refers to literal dirt in the water and on the other to apparently unethical practices from both water companies and the UK Environment Agency which should be protecting our water quality. In this post I take a closer look at the way ‘dirty’ is used metaphorically and the words and phrases we often use with it. Continue reading “It’s a dirty business: the metaphorical use of ‘dirty’”→
Idioms featuring the word ‘horse’ or ‘horses’ are common in English, and this is no great surprise. Humans have always had a close relationship with this beautiful animal. For centuries, horses were our main means of transport. We also used them in farming, war, and industry. More recently, of course, we’ve ridden horses, both for leisure and in the sport of horse racing. Today, I’m looking at some of the most frequent and useful horse idioms. Continue reading “Wild horses and gift horses (Idioms with the word ‘horse’)”→
Today’s post concentrates on a set of compound adjectives (adjectives made from two words) that start with the name of a body part. Unlike compound adjectives where the body part is second (blue-eyed, long-haired, etc.), they tend to be quite idiomatic and in many cases extremely emphatic. Continue reading “Mouth-watering or jaw-dropping: adjectives formed with body parts”→
If, like me, you spent your spare time last month watching the Winter Olympics, you’ll know how exciting it was. I enjoyed everything about it. When I wasn’t watching the events or admiring the fabulous scenery, I was looking at the spectators as they cheered for (=encouraged by shouting at) their country’s sportsmen and women. This post looks at the language we use to describe the behaviour of people who have come together to watch a sports event or an occasion such as a play or concert. Continue reading “Applauding or heckling? (What audiences do)”→
A couple of weeks ago, I was walking to the shops when I slipped and fell on a patch of ice. I got up immediately and was absolutely fine, though of course, rather embarrassed! Later, when telling a friend about my accident, I said I had fallen ‘in a heap’, to convey how heavily I had fallen, the whole of my body landing on the ground. I started thinking about this phrase and all the other ways we talk about falling and thought I’d share my thoughts with you. Continue reading “Stumbling and tumbling (The language of falling)”→
There’s a nice idiom in English that says before you criticize a person, you should walk a mile in their shoes. In other words, instead of judging someone, you should try to imagine what it’s like to be that person, with all the problems and challenges that they face. The phrase is essentially a call for us to be more empathetic (or empathic), using our imagination and experience to understand other people’s feelings and thoughts. This post looks at the words and phrases we use to talk about and convey empathy. Continue reading “Walk a mile in my shoes (Words about empathy)”→
Most readers of this blog will be familiar with the verb throw when it means using your hand and arm to send something such as a ball through the air. Today’s post looks at some of the many ways that this basic sense of ‘throw’ is used in more idiomatic ways, often in fixed or semi-fixed phrases. Continue reading “Throwing a punch or throwing your head back: using the verb ‘throw’”→
hushpitalitynoun [U] UK /ˌhʌʃ.pɪˈtæl.ə.ti/ US /ˌhʌʃ.pɪˈtæl.ə.t̬i/ a style of tourism that focuses on providing travellers with quiet places to stay and a peaceful atmosphere with no loud activity or disturbance
By 2026, more than 56 per cent of travellers will choose destinations primarily to rest and recharge, rather than to sightsee or stay busy. As daily life grows louder and more demanding, “hushpitality” is quietly reshaping the idea of luxury. This new travel philosophy is not about simply switching off devices or booking a quieter hotel room. It is about seeking a complete sensory reset. The focus is on intentional sound, or the lack of it, where silence itself becomes the experience. [www.harpersbazaar.in, 25 December 2025]
inheritourismnoun [U] UK /ɪnˈher.ɪ.ˌtʊə.rɪ.zᵊm/ US /ɪnˈher.ɪ.ˌtʊr.ɪ.zᵊm/ a travel trend where people choose the same types of holiday and often the same accommodation as their parents and grandparents did in the past
“Inheritourism reflects how travel preferences are passed down across generations,” said Jess Petitt. “Many people inherit travel preferences from their parents, with family experiences often shaping how people travel well into adulthood.” A 2026 travel report from Hilton identified “inheritourism” as a notable trend for the new year ― with 66% of travelers saying that their parents have influenced their choice of accommodations and 73% saying they shaped their general travel style. [huffingtonpost.co.uk, 3 February 2026]
onebaggingnoun [U]
/ˌwʌnˈbægɪŋ/ the practice of travelling with only a single carry-on sized bag, to simplify the trip and reduce costs
If you’re like me, then it’s time to learn about a minimalist approach to travelling in the form of onebagging. In some ways, it’s just a way to pack light, but in others, it’s more a philosophy of travel akin to feng shui with a passport. This travel subculture has spread globally, with the onebag subreddit now containing over 871,000 members, the community nurturing a love for the approach that is both highly practical and near-spiritual. [faroutmagazine.co.uk, 16 November 2025]
