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Word origins | Oxford Dictionaries
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Click through to find out.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:57:09 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 2" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/origin-of-dressed-to-the-nines"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3085/original/tiara-thumbnail.jpg?1471959767" alt="Tiara thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the phrase 'dressed to the nines'?</h2><h4>To be ‘dressed to the nines’ means to be dressed very smartly – but what is the origin of this phrase, and why is it ‘nines’ rather than ‘eights’ or ‘tens’?</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-29 13:50:28 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 3" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-phrase-hair-of-the-dog"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2833/original/dog-hair-thumbnail.jpg?1471959682" alt="Dog hair thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the phrase ‘hair of the dog’?</h2><h4>Most people have known somebody in need of the hair of the dog, but where did the phrase come from? Our short video explains everything.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:55:36 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 4" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-phrase-sleep-tight"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3044/original/sleeping-baby-thumbnail.jpg?1471959756" alt="Sleeping baby thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the phrase ‘sleep tight’?</h2><h4>There are lots of parents out there that have said "sleep tight" when they put their kids to bed. But have you ever wondered where the phrase came from?</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:55:19 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 5" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-phrase-the-bee-s-knees"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2755/original/bees-thumbnail.jpg?1471959649" alt="Bees thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the phrase 'the bee's knees'?</h2><h4>The bee's knees is usually said to describe something of outstanding performance, but have you ever thought where it came from? Our page has the answers.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:57:12 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 6" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-term-brass-monkey"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2952/original/monkey-thumbnail.jpg?1471959721" alt="Monkey thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the term 'brass monkey'?</h2><h4>In some English-speaking parts of the world, the phrase 'brass monkey' is used to describe cold weather, but where did it come from? Our video has the answer.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:57:19 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 7" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-term-flea-market"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2863/original/flea-market-thumbnail.jpg?1471959694" alt="Flea market thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the term ‘flea market’?</h2><h4>Most people will go to a flea market at some point in their lives, but where did the phrase come from? Watch our video to find out the answer.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:56:23 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 8" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/pros-and-cons-origin"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3292/original/vintage-scales-thumbnail.jpg?1473345930" alt="Vintage scales thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the term ‘pros and cons’?</h2><h4>What is the origin of the term ‘pros and cons’? You may use this phrase often, but without realizing that you’re actually abbreviating Latin…</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:57:52 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 9" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-term-ufo"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3107/original/ufo-thumbnail.jpg?1471959775" alt="Ufo thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the term ‘UFO’?</h2><h4>There are many theories about the existence of UFOs, but where did this initialism come from? Watch our video to find out the real truth.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:56:47 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 10" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/what-is-the-origin-of-the-word-berserk"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004082835im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2756/original/bear-walking-thumbnail.jpg?1471959649" alt="Bear walking thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>What is the origin of the word ‘berserk’?</h2><h4>Where does the word ‘berserk’ come from, and what has it got to do with bears? 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id="quiz_option_id_5943" value="5943"/><span class="option_text">I brought down every word he said</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5942" value="5942"/><span class="option_text">I took down every word he said</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5954" value="5954"/><span class="option_text">The police took him away</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5955" value="5955"/><span class="option_text">The police brought him away</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5994" value="5994"/><span class="option_text">The matter is brought before a jury</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5995" value="5995"/><span class="option_text">The matter is taken before a jury</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5953" value="5953"/><span class="option_text">Wealth doesn't take happiness</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5952" value="5952"/><span class="option_text">Wealth doesn't bring happiness</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5976" value="5976"/><span class="option_text">Such headaches are brought on by stress</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5977" value="5977"/><span class="option_text">Such headaches are taken on by stress</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5946" value="5946"/><span class="option_text">He took me by the hand</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5947" value="5947"/><span class="option_text">He brought me by the hand</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5962" value="5962"/><span class="option_text">The band will bring out a new video in June</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5963" value="5963"/><span class="option_text">The band will take out a new video in June</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5939" value="5939"/><span class="option_text">I brought the ball away from him</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5938" value="5938"/><span class="option_text">I took the ball away from him</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5983" value="5983"/><span class="option_text">He was taken in to provide advice</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5982" value="5982"/><span class="option_text">He was brought in to provide advice</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of the following is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5964" value="5964"/><span class="option_text">She took a deep breath</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_5965" value="5965"/><span class="option_text">She brought a deep breath</span></li></ul></div><div class="question last"><h3 id="score-message">You scored <span class="final-score"></span>/10 practise again?</h3><button id="retry-quiz">Retry</button></div></div></form><button name="button" type="button" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="next question" id="next-question" html="{:disabled=>"disabled"}">Next</button><div class="score-counter"><span class="current-score">0</span>/10</div></div><br/></div><div class="trending-panel-odo sideTrendWrap"><div class="trend" lang="en"><section class="boxSizing"><span class="trend-title-wrapper"><span class="trend-title">Trending Words</span></span><div class="popular"><p><span>Most popular in the world</span></p></div><ol class="words_section"><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 1" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/monitum">monitum</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 2" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/low-carbon">low-carbon</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 3" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/shoring">shoring</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 4" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/pinkerton,_allan">Pinkerton, Allan</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 5" href="/web/20181004082835/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/be_like_piccadilly_circus">be like Piccadilly Circus</a></li></ol></section></div></div><div class="banbox-mini"><div class="banner "><div id="div-gpt-ad-1467288879120-1"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1467288879120-1'); });</script></div></div></div><div class="bluebox sidebar-newsletter"><div class="container newsletters en_dictionaries_news"><div class="signup"><h4>Sign up for our newsletter</h4><p>Stay up to date with our latest news and receive new words updates, blog posts, and more.</p><div class="section sso_newsletter_holder homepage_sso_newsletter_holder" id="news_newsletter_manage_button"><div class="sso_newsletter"><a class="subscribe_button homepage_subscribe_button" 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