Don't get your knickers in a twist!
Traditional sayings that are going out of style.
Traditional English sayings are deeply rooted in the history of the UK and some of these are dying out or have fallen out of use. Many of us today would be totally lost hearing of what could have been considered to be common language back in the day.
No need to get “your knickers in a twist”, Gala Bingo has found some unique updates to 20 traditional phrases from a survey conducted by Perspectus Global. The survey revealed the percentage of people who have never used the phrase. In addition we have shared the meaning as well as a popular version of the phrase that we use today.
1. Pearls before swine - 78% (percentage of people who have never used the phrase)
Meaning: You are wasting your time by offering something that is helpful or valuable to someone who does not appreciate it.
More popular version used today: Flogging a dead horse
2. Nail your colours to the mast - 71%
Meaning: To declare your beliefs firmly and openly.
More popular version used today: Keep it 100
3. Colder than a witch's tit - 71%
Meaning: An expressive way of saying 'very cold' - usually in reference to the weather.
More popular version used today: It’s brass monkeys
4. Pip pip - 70%
Meaning: Used to express farewell.
More popular version used today: Cheerio
5. Know your onions - 68%
Meaning: To be very knowledgeable about something.
6. A nod is as good as a wink - 66%
Meaning: Said to mean that it is not necessary to explain something further
More popular version used today: Say less
7. A stitch in time saves nine - 64%
Meaning: If you sort out a problem immediately it may save a lot of extra work later.
8. Ready for the knacker's yard - 62%
Meaning: In a state of ruin or failure due to having become useless or obsolete.
More popular version used today: Gone to the dogs
9. I've dropped a clanger - 60%
Meaning: To make a very bad or embarrassing mistake.
More popular version used today: Muck up
10. A fly in the ointment - 59%
Meaning: A minor irritation that spoils the success or enjoyment of something.
More popular version used today: All to pot
11. Keen as mustard - 58%
Meaning: Extremely eager or enthusiastic.
More popular version used today: Be full on / I am so keen / Up for it
12. A flash in the pan - 57%
Meaning: A thing or person whose sudden but brief success is not repeated or repeatable.
13. Tickety boo - 57%
Meaning: Everything is fine or in good order.
More popular version used today: Legit/ Chuffed to bits/ Bobs your uncle/ Hunky dory
14. A load of codswallop - 56%
Meaning: Words or ideas that are foolish or untrue.
More popular version used today: Bollocks
15. A curtain twitcher - 56%
Meaning: A nosy person who watches his or her neighbours.
More popular version used today: Nosey Parker
16. Knickers in a twist - 56%
Meaning: To become upset about something that is not very important.
More popular version used today: Cheesed off/ Miff
17. Dead as a doornail - 55%
Meaning: Emphatically dead.
18. A dog's dinner - 55%
Meaning: A mess or a poor piece of work.
More popular version used today: Not be able to organise a piss-up in a brewery
19. It's chock a block - 55%
Meaning: Crammed full of people or things.
More popular version used today: Still used as is
20. Storm in a teacup - 55%
Meaning: Great outrage or excitement about a trivial matter.