idiot strings – Refers to the strings that attach mittens to prevent a child from losing one. More…
in hock – Can be traced to the card game faro, in which the last card in the box was called the hocketty card; when a player bet on a card that ended up in hock, he was at a disadvantage and was himself in hock and at risk of losing his bets. More…
jeopardy – Comes from French ieu parti, “(evenly) divided game” (from Latin jocus partitus, “divided game”), referring originally to chess, in which the chances of winning and losing are balanced. More…
pain – Originally meant punishment for a crime or offense—sometimes by losing one’s head. More…