In the early 1800s, to cotton to somebody implied that you were drawn or attached to that person. It may be that the idea here is how well a thread of cotton sticks to the surface of cloth.
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What does the saying cotton on mean?
to begin to understand something
Definition of cotton on
: to begin to understand something : to catch on It took a while, but they are finally starting to cotton on. —often + to She cottoned on to the fact that I like her.
What does cotton on mean in British?
phrasal verb. If you cotton on to something, you understand it or realize it, especially without people telling you about it. [British, informal] She had already cottoned on to the fact that the nanny was not all she appeared. [
Where did the expression it is what it is come from?
According to the New York Times, the phrase it is what it is appeared as early as an 1949 article by J.E. Lawrence in The Nebraska State Journal. Lawrence used the phrase when describing the difficulty faced during frontier-era life in Nebraska: “New land is harsh, and vigorous, and sturdy.
Is cotton on British?
The phrase ‘cotton on to’, with the above meaning, appears to be limited in usage to the UK and other countries that were previously part of the British Empire, notably Australia and New Zealand.
What does I don’t cotton to that mean?
Saying “I’m not cotton with” or “I don’t cotton to” means that you don’t get along with something.
What does over old ground mean?
To discuss or address something that has already been discussed or examined.
What does crease up mean?
to start laughing
phrasal verb. crease up | crease somebody up. (British English, informal) to start laughing or make somebody start laughing synonym crack up (2), crack somebody up. Ed creased up laughing.
What means caught on?
Definition of catch on
intransitive verb. 1 : to become aware : learn also : understand didn’t catch on to what was going on. 2 : to become popular this idea has already caught on.
Why do we say for Pete’s sake?
“For Pete’s sake” originated as a substitute for “for Christ’s (or God’s) sake,” and other similar expressions—as using a shortened form of the disciple St. Peter’s name instead was considered less offensive.
Why do they say paint the town red?
The expression is American slang meaning to go on a reckless debauch, to be wildly extravagant. Originally, the metaphor applied to bonfires painting the sky or scenery red. An old Irish ballad contains the lines: The beacon hills were painted red/ With many a fire that night.
Where did the expression for Pete’s sake come from?
“For Pete’s sake” originated as a substitute for “for Christ’s sake,” and other similar expressions. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “for Pete’s sake” came into use more than a century ago and prompted similar sayings such as “for the love of Pete” in 1906 and “in the name of Pete” in 1942.
What is Cotton On known for?
The Cotton On Group is one of Australia’s great stories of entrepreneurial success. Less than thirty years ago, its founder was selling denim in a market from the back of a Bronco. Today, the group is Australia’s largest global retailer. It operates in 19 countries and has 1,400 stores and seven brands.
Who founded Cotton On?
Nigel Austin is the founder and majority owner of the Cotton On clothing and stationery group. Its brands include Cotton On, Supre, Factorie and Typo. His company has grown rapidly in the past few years, expanding to 1,450 stores in 18 countries and estimated sales of $1.5 billion in 2017.
What does fairly middling mean?
Mediocre, pretty good, so-so, as in I asked them how they liked their new home and John answered, “Fair to middling. This phrase, often a reply to an inquiry about one’s health, business, or the like, is redundant, since fair and middling both mean “moderately good.” [Mid-1800s] Also see can’t complain.
Why do they call it stomping grounds?
“Stomping ground” actually started out as “stamping ground” and first appeared in British English around 1820. So, what in the world was a “stamping ground”? A “stamping ground” originally referred to trampled down depressions in vegetation—a place where animals bedded down for the night.
What does old stomping grounds mean?
Definition of stomping ground
: a favorite or habitual resort also : familiar territory. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About stomping ground.
Is it stomping ground or stomping grounds?
Stomping ground and stamping ground both refer to a place where someone spends the majority of his time, a place where someone hangs out. The words are sometimes rendered as plural, as in stomping grounds and stamping grounds, though the Oxford English Dictionary only lists the singular forms.
What does iron out mean?
Definition of iron out
transitive verb. 1 : to make smooth or flat by or as if by pressing. 2 : to resolve or work out a solution to ironed out their differences.
What does it mean to brood over something?
to think silently for a long time about things that make you sad, worried, or angry: He brooded over the insult.
What does creasing your shoes mean?
The creasing occurs when the upper material of your shoe compresses. Also, it puts pressure on your shoes when you walk. On the other hand, the degree of creases may heighten if you will not do anything about it. With this, your shoes may look worn and old.