“The bitter end” started as a nautical term for the end of an anchor rope fastened to a bitt, before it gained a figurative meaning.

A mondegreen is a misheard word or phrase, often in songs. Learn why it happens and see a classic example of this common mix up.

“Toady” began as “toad eater,” a term for a quack doctor’s assistant. Later, it shifted to mean a flatterer or yes man.