Last 7 Days

What is the origin of the phrase "It's a piece of cake"?

Originally used to denote a job that required little effort for much gain, it comes from the idea that eating a piece of cake is pretty easy.

I stored birdseed in a covered trash barrel in my basement. When I opened it the other day, I noticed mealy moths had infested the bag. Where do they come from? and how should I store this in the future. Is there anything I can put in the barrel that won't affect the seed but repel the moths?

Dump out the contents. Clean the container with bleach and then store with salt. The insects came from eggs that were most likely present in the seeds. Another approach would be to sort through the seeds and remove the contaminants and feed the birds, and not bother cleaning the container. The moths are not parasitic to the birds.

How did the word buck come to be used for a one-dollar bill?

This American slang word for a dollar may have its origins in animal skins that were classified as "bucks" and "does." The bucks, larger and more valuable than the does, could have become part of early American business terminology (around 1800) and later slang for a dollar. This usage also may have come from the game of poker. During the game's heyday (the late 19th century), a marker called a buck was placed next to a poker player to remind him that it was his turn to deal next. A silver dollar was sometimes used as the marker, perhaps leading to the expression.

Why do we use the initials A.M. and P.M. to indicate a time?

These are initials for Latin terms. The initials A.M. are for ante meridian and P.M. are for post meridian, which translate into before and after noon.

What is the best way to remove walnut stain from your hands?

If the stain is still fresh, a little vegetable oil may work better than paint thinner or mineral spirits and is not nearly as harsh as those products on your skin.

What is the origin to the phrase, "Treat him with kid gloves"?

When tanned and used for gloves, the skin of immature goats or kids produces a much more soft and supple product than leather. It's also extremely durable and used for work gloves with a great deal of flexibility and comfort. To treat someone "with kid gloves" means to treat them especially gently.

Who were the Mugwumps?

The Mugwumps were a group of dissidents from the Republican Party who refused to support James G. Blaine, the Republican candidate for the 1884 presidential election. Instead, they supported Grover Cleveland, the Democrat who was ultimately elected. The term, which comes from a Native American word meaning "war leader," was first used derisively for this group in newspaper editorials. It has since been adopted as a description of any independent voter.