Stupidity
A fool and his money are soon parted
Meaning
A foolish person is very likely to lose his money.
Examples
He’s off to the casino again – ’a fool and his money…’ I say.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom – 16th century.
Where is it used?
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A fool’s paradise
Meaning
A state of euphoria with no basis in reality.
Examples
He thinks he is going to get the top job but there’s no chance of that. He’s just living in a fool’s paradise.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom – 16th century.
Where is it used?
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A load of cobblers
Meaning
Nonsense.
Examples
He says he has invented a perpetual motion machine, which is clearly a load of cobblers.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Widely used, especially in the UK. Slang and borderline swearing – not one for your Grandma.
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A load of codswallop
Meaning
Nonsense.
Examples
You can’t keep champagne fresh by putting a spoon in the neck of the bottle – that’s a load of codswallop.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Mostly used in the UK but known elsewhere too. Mostly used by the older generation.
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Baby brain
Meaning
Confusion or forgetfulness caused by lack of sleep when caring for a new-born.
Examples
I put baby Julie’s bottle of milk away in the oven today – must be baby brain.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Fool's gold
Meaning
Something that appears valuable but really isn’t, like iron pyrites – a worthless mineral that resembles gold.
Examples
The investment promised 80% returns but turned out to make a loss – just fools gold I guess.
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Fuddy-duddy
Meaning
An old-fashioned and foolish type of person.
Examples
He irons his socks. He’s a real fuddy-duddy.
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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George Raft
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for daft.
Examples
That handstand on the window ledge. You could say he was brave or you could say he was George Raft.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Method to my madness
Meaning
Odd actions that appear meaningless but are done for a good reason.
Examples
Mixing cooking oil with the petrol might seem a little odd, but just wait, you’ll see there’s method in my madness.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century. From Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as ‘though this is madness, yet there is method in it’.
Where is it used?
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Not all there
Meaning
Not in possession of one’s mental faculties.
Examples
He’s a bit slow to learn. Some say he’s not quite all there.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Not playing with a full deck
Meaning
Someone who lacks intelligence.
Examples
I asked him to meet me in Derby and he went to Denby. Sometimes I don’t think he’s playing with a full deck.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but more common in Britain than elsewhere.
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Off one's rocker
Meaning
Crazy; out of one’s mind.
Examples
Ozzy Osbourne – he’s a rocker who is off his rocker!
Where did it originate?
Britain, 1890s
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but more common in Britain than elsewhere.
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Stupid-o'clock
Meaning
Very early in the morning.
Examples
We were out clubbing until three and then went on to Jack’s for a drink. We didn’t get home until stupid-o’clock.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain, and mainly amongst young adults.
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