Where did that phrase or word come from and what does it mean?
An intergenerational fun and learning game.
There are thousands of words, phrases and word combinations that have mysterious, disputed and controversial origins. They are most often called idioms and evolved with meanings that don’t make sense when you just look at the words being used. There are always several stories, rumors and legends of why and how we use and pronounce them and how they became popular at some point in time.
to put the kibosh on a project
all hands on deck
cut the mustard
clear as a bell
at the drop of a hat
bought the farm
heard through the grapevine
whole nine yards
This is a great intergenerational game for all ages. Bring out the coins, poker chips, M&Ms or scraps of paper with point or money values to be used as rewards for knowing something about a phrase when used in a sentence. Perhaps let them earn their way to something that you were going to do for them anyway or they can earn a bonus to the experience such as 2 scoops of ice cream instead of just one or their choice of toppings on the pizza for dinner.
If you are coming for a visit you can send them lists of idioms to learn and this list of online sources to study from before you arrive. Have them anticipate the possible rewards.
Here are a few online idiom sites:
Worldwidewords.org
Wikipedia.org
idioms.thefreedictionary.com
idiomeanings.com
usingenglish.com
idiomsite.com
From DaveSavage.com where you will also find the measurement game and family story recording advice and questions for kids to ask their family.
An intergenerational fun and learning game.
There are thousands of words, phrases and word combinations that have mysterious, disputed and controversial origins. They are most often called idioms and evolved with meanings that don’t make sense when you just look at the words being used. There are always several stories, rumors and legends of why and how we use and pronounce them and how they became popular at some point in time.
to put the kibosh on a project
all hands on deck
cut the mustard
clear as a bell
at the drop of a hat
bought the farm
heard through the grapevine
whole nine yards
This is a great intergenerational game for all ages. Bring out the coins, poker chips, M&Ms or scraps of paper with point or money values to be used as rewards for knowing something about a phrase when used in a sentence. Perhaps let them earn their way to something that you were going to do for them anyway or they can earn a bonus to the experience such as 2 scoops of ice cream instead of just one or their choice of toppings on the pizza for dinner.
If you are coming for a visit you can send them lists of idioms to learn and this list of online sources to study from before you arrive. Have them anticipate the possible rewards.
Here are a few online idiom sites:
Worldwidewords.org
Wikipedia.org
idioms.thefreedictionary.com
idiomeanings.com
usingenglish.com
idiomsite.com
From DaveSavage.com where you will also find the measurement game and family story recording advice and questions for kids to ask their family.