wEIRD wORD wEDNESDAY

Do you ever wake up early, before dawn and are unable to get back to sleep?

There's a word for that:

Uhtceare

Pronounced: oot-kare, it is an Old English word proving that people have been laying awake waiting for the alarm clock - or rooster - to go off for centuries.

via:health.usnews.com

info from: huffingtonpost.com

wEIRD wORD wEDNESDAY

IDIOMS:  Nothing to Sneeze At

Example:  He won the silver medal, not the gold.  That's nothing to sneeze at.

Meaning: Not small or unimportant; something to be taken seriously.

Origin: In the early 1800s people were already using this saying.  Perhaps it comes from the idea of turning your nose up at something or someone to express scorn or contempt.  Since sneezes come from your nose, something that's "not to be sneezed at" should be treated as important and worthy.

Source: Scholastic dictionary of idioms: over 600 sayings, phrases and expressions / Marvin Terban. 1996.

wEIRD wORD wEDNESDAY

IDIOMS:  Head Honcho

Example:  You had better do what the Head Honcho tells you to do if you want to keep your job.

Meaning: the person in charge, the chief,boss, leader.

Origin: The Japanese word "hanchu" means 'squad leader'(han=squad, chu=chief). During the Korean War (1950-1953), American soldiers changed the spelling to honcho, and added "head" probably because head honcho made a catchy phrase.  Today a head honcho is the principal of a school, the owner of a business, or anyone in charge.

Source: Scholastic dictionary of idioms: over 600 sayings, phrases and expressions / Marvin Terban. 1996.

wEIRD wORD wEDNESDAY

IDIOMS:  Let the Cat out of the Bag

Example:  Carol's little brother the cat out of the bag about her surprise party. 

Meaning: to give away a secret.

Origin: Centuries ago in England you might have bought a costly pig at a farmer's market. But if the merchant was dishonest and put a worthless cat into the bag instead of a piglet, you might not find out until you got home and let the cat out of the bag.

Source: Scholastic dictionary of idioms: over 600 sayings, phrases and expressions / Marvin Terban. 1996.