Latest Posts

sports

Where to Find Exclusive F1 Merch Before the Blockbuster Release

deped 1

PBBM bats for more support to schools as DepEd ramps up reforms 

deped 2

PBBM’s Green Light: Agusan del Norte tribe enjoys electricity as DepEd, NEA launch remote electrification drive 

From Spilling Beans to Spilling Tea: British Council unveilsthe history and evolution of 100 English phrases

Screenshot

SHARE

The British Council has launched a collection of 100 idioms, proverbs and phrases
that shed light on the evolution of English.

Launched to coincide with World English Day, Phrase-ology highlights how the language is
constantly evolving, shaped by global influences and pop culture, while preserving phrases
with origins that date as far back as Ancient Greece.

Screenshot

Led by computational linguistics expert Dr. Barbara McGillivray and Natural Language
Processing specialist Iacopo Ghinassi, the research analysed millions of online documents
to track the emergence and frequency of expressions, from “breaking the ice” to “ate and left
no crumbs” (meaning to do something flawlessly).

The British Council then curated a final list of 100 phrases with intriguing backgrounds.
Spilling Beans and Serving Tea – new phrases, familiar meanings
While classic idioms like “kill two birds with one stone” remain widely used, newer phrases
are gaining momentum. “Spill the beans” (first recorded in the early 1900s) saw a surge in
the 1990s, while “spill the tea” fuelled by social media.

All that glisters is not gold – phrases reinvented by pop culture

The digital age has given rise to new expressions like “let them cook” and “main character
energy”, but linguistic reinvention is nothing new. “All that glisters is not gold” dates to a
Middle English expression recorded in 1229, “Nis hit nower neh gold al ĂŸet ter schineð”,
more than 300 years before its modernisation in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
Some phrases, like “bucket list”, emerged almost overnight—the almost universally
recognised term was virtually unknown before the 2007 film The Bucket List.

No Cap – Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z still “keep it real”

The study examined how different generations use language online, analysing comments
across platforms with high interaction from specific age groups. While expressions like
“better late than never” and “pipe down” remain widespread across generations, modern
slang such as “glow up” is more common among millennials and Gen Z. Some phrases,
however, bridge generational divides—”keep it real”, popular since the 1960s, remains
widely used, while “YOLO”, although popularised by Drake in 2011, is also commonly used
across all platforms and likely reached older generations through the influence of social
media.

Long time no see – the forgotten global origins of English phrases

The research also looked at familiar English phrases with international origins. “Moment of
truth” is believed to come from the Spanish “hora de la verdad”, a bullfighting term. “Long
time no see” may have roots in Chinese Pidgin English or early 20th-century American
Western literature. “Chin chin”, now a drinking toast, derives from the Chinese “qǐng”
(meaning “please”). The study also highlights global linguistic parallels—like the Nigerian
phrase “to yarn dust”, which mirrors the English phrase “to talk rubbish” or “to spin a yarn”.
The collection categorises phrases into eight groups overall. They include:

  • Global English – Borrowed from other languages and cultures (e.g., let the genie
    out of the bottle, from Arabic).
  • Classic Evergreen – Long-standing phrases (e.g., raining cats and dogs, dating to
    1661).
  • Generational – Popular in specific eras (e.g., instant karma, coined by John Lennon
    in 1970, common in the 2000s).
  • Pop Culture – Popularised by media across the ages (e.g., let them cook).
  • Sports – Derived from sports (e.g., straight off the bat).
  • Gen Z – Recent expressions and slang (e.g., no cap).
  • Language of Belief – Rooted in religion (e.g., turn the other cheek).
  • Shakespeare – Originating from or popularised by his works (e.g., wearing one’s
    heart on one’s sleeve, Othello).
  • Mark Walker, Director of English & Exams at the British Council, said: “This latest study
    into the evolution of English explores the phrases we use to express shared ideas and
    experiences – it shows how much English is shaped by people around the world and how it
    continues to grow and adapt. By celebrating the richness of our language, we’re not just
    looking at its past, but also at the future of English. Whether for work, study, travel,
    relationships, or lifelong learning, as the global lingua franca, English is one of the key ways
    that people connect and engage across cultures.”
  • Dr. Barbara McGillivray, leading expert in computational linguistics and digital
    humanities said: “Working on this collection, we had the chance to explore the deep
    historical roots of English expressions while applying modern computational techniques to
    trace their evolution. Analysing the frequency and emergence of idioms, proverbs, and
    phrases, we uncover not only the impact of historical events but also how the digital era
    shapes the language we use today. This collection offers a unique perspective on how
    English, as both a living and historical entity, continues to adapt and reflect the changing
    world.”

*All Photos from British Council

RELATED ARTICLES

sports

Where to Find Exclusive F1 Merch Before the Blockbuster Release

Buckle up, Formula 1 fans — the green lights are on for the most anticipated motorsport film of the year. “F1”, the all-new blockbuster starring...
deped 1

PBBM bats for more support to schools as DepEd ramps up reforms 

As public schools reopened nationwide for School Year 2025–2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) assured the public that it is taking concrete steps to address...
deped 2

PBBM’s Green Light: Agusan del Norte tribe enjoys electricity as DepEd, NEA launch remote electrification drive 

Hope now runs on electricity and satellite internet in Sitio Tagpangi, Brgy. Simbalan as Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School has become the first school energized...
viber_image_2025-06-24_10-53-01-994

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Update 1.2.2 rolling out now!

Update 1.2.2 for Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is available now! One of the largest updates to the game since launch, 1.2.2 introduces long-awaited features like Large and...
asics 2

COVERAGE: ASICS Meta: Time: Trials Successfully Launched Last June 17 at Glorietta

The excitement was palpable on the evening of June 17 as the ASICS Glorietta Store in Makati played host to the official launch of the...
lbc

LBC Express Joins Forces with BidaBoss to Back Hardworking Bidang Filipino Entrepreneurs

LBC Express, the Philippines’ leading logistics and money services provider, has partnered with BidaBoss, the first pioneering dropshipping platform in the country. Set to officially...
sports

Where to Find Exclusive F1 Merch Before the Blockbuster Release

Buckle up, Formula 1 fans — the green lights are on for the most anticipated motorsport film of the year. “F1”, the all-new blockbuster starring...
deped 1

PBBM bats for more support to schools as DepEd ramps up reforms 

As public schools reopened nationwide for School Year 2025–2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) assured the public that it is taking concrete steps to address...
deped 2

PBBM’s Green Light: Agusan del Norte tribe enjoys electricity as DepEd, NEA launch remote electrification drive 

Hope now runs on electricity and satellite internet in Sitio Tagpangi, Brgy. Simbalan as Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School has become the first school energized...

Don't Miss

Screenshot

As Iran Strikes, Israelis Turn to Prayer in Bomb Shelters

israel final

God’s Promise of Protection Over Israel in the Bible

Screenshot

End Times Prophecy: Which Nations Will Come Against Israel?

Screenshot

How Christians Around the Globe Show Their Support for Israel