Latest news with #Phrase-ology
Web Release
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
From Spilling Beans to Spilling Tea: British Council unveils the history and evolution of 100 English phrases
Launched to coincide with World English Day, Phrase-ology explores how English is constantly evolving—shaped by global influences and pop culture—while preserving expressions that date back as far as Ancient Greece. 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 usage 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 linguistic and cultural 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 rising in popularity. Spill the beans (first recorded in the early 1900s) surged in usage during the 1990s, while spill the tea, originating from African American and LGBTQ+ communities, skyrocketed in popularity from 2017—fueled by social media trends. All That Glisters Is Not Gold – Phrases Reinvented by Pop Culture The digital age has birthed expressions like let them cook and main character energy, but linguistic reinvention is hardly new. All that glisters is not gold traces back to a 1229 Middle English phrase, 'Nis hit nower neh gold al þet ter schineð,' centuries before its appearance in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Some expressions, such as bucket list, emerged rapidly and unexpectedly—the term was virtually unknown before the release of the 2007 film The Bucket List. No Cap – Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z Still 'Keep It Real' The study examined generational language use online, analysing comments across platforms with strong age group engagement. While phrases like better late than never and pipe down are used widely across generations, modern slang such as glow up is more prevalent among millennials and Gen Z. Some expressions have managed to bridge age gaps—keep it real, popular since the 1960s, remains current, while YOLO (popularised by Drake in 2011) continues to resonate thanks to 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 stems from the Spanish 'hora de la verdad', a bullfighting term. Long time no see may derive from Chinese Pidgin English or early 20th-century American Western novels. Chin chin, now a casual toast, originates from the Chinese 'q?ng', meaning 'please.' It also highlights linguistic parallels across cultures, like the Nigerian phrase to yarn dust, which mirrors the English 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.'
STV News
23-04-2025
- General
- STV News
'Haud yer wheesht': Scottish phrases that have helped shape the English language
A number of Scottish idioms and phrases feature prominently in a British Council list that sheds light on the evolution of English. Launched to coincide with World English Day, Phrase-ology highlights how language is constantly evolving, shaped by global influences and pop culture, while preserving phrases with origins that date as far back as Ancient Greece. 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. The British Council then curated a final list of 100 phrases with intriguing backgrounds. One of the oldest and most well-known Scottish sayings to make the list is 'blood is thicker than water.' First recorded in 1737, this phrase emphasises the importance of family loyalty, suggesting that familial bonds are stronger than other relationships. Another classic phrase, 'the best-laid plans,' comes from the 1785 Robert Burns poem To a Mouse. The line 'The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley' poignantly illustrates that no matter how carefully laid a plan may be, it can still go awry. Scotland's influence also extends to the world of fashion, with the phrase 'dressed to the nines' originating in a 1719 epistle by Scottish poet William Hamilton. The playful yet direct 'Haud yer wheesht!' – which translates to 'be quiet' or 'shut up' – can be traced back to the 1800s and is a common colloquialism in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. The word 'wheesht' is derived from the Irish Gaelic word 'faoistin,' which means to whisper or to be quiet and has recently gained renewed attention thanks to popular TV shows like Derry Girls and Line of Duty. A phrase with a more subtle meaning is 'to give someone the cold shoulder.' First recorded in 1816, this expression refers to intentionally showing indifference or disdain, often by offering a cold piece of meat (the 'cold shoulder') to someone. In a more dramatic context, 'to set the heather on fire' was first used in 1817 by renowned Scottish author Walter Scott. The phrase suggests creating a disturbance or making a bold statement, much like the expression 'setting the world on fire' in English. Historically, it also referenced becoming an outlaw or troublemaker. Outside of Scottish phrases, the study also 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. 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). Peter Brown, director of British Council Scotland, said: 'The Scottish idioms and phrases that feature in our Phrase-ology list, along with many others, continue to influence how English is spoken today. Their historical roots and continued use across generations show just how much Scotland has shaped the language we speak. 'As more people begin to rediscover these expressions, they remain a vibrant part of Scotland's cultural legacy, reminding us all of the power of language to connect us across time and place.' 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.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
