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Until Hell Freezes Over

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Until Hell Freezes Over

Origin of Phrases - U

 

Until Hell Freezes Over

While it's expected that this would be an old expression, there is no recorded use of it in print until the 20th century.  In 1919, Admiral J.A. Fisher, former first sea lord of the British Admiralty, signed off a letter saying, "Yours till hell freezes."

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Up a Creek

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Up a Creek

Origin of Phrases - U

 

Up a Creek

Most rivers of Europe are fairly small and pose few obstacles to travelers who wish to cross them.  Settlers of the New World found a different situation.  Many rivers were so mighty that even large streams seemed to be creeks by comparison.  Hunters and explorers sometimes tried to cross the water at an untried spot, and, if they misjudged the speed or depth of the water, might be trapped up the creek until rescued.

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Upside-Down

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Upside-Down

Origin of Phrases - U

 

Upside-Down

First appearing in the 1490 romance story, The Seven Sages, the phrase actually started out as up so down: "The cradel and the child thai found Up so doun upon the ground."

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Utah

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Utah

Origin of Phrases - U

 

Utah

It's a Navajo word meaning upper or higher.  It was also the name the Navajos called the Shoshone tribe.

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Under the gun

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Under the gun

Origin of Phrases - U

 

Under the gun

Meaning: A need to perform under a tight deadline.

 

Example: I am under the gun to complete this report, it is due first thing in the morning.

 

Origin: "Under the gun" means laboring under a threat of a gun pointed at you. Either you finish fast, or you get shot.

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