Clothing, accessory and jewellery similes, Idioms, and origins 754

 We use many idioms and similes when describing body parts, people and clothes. For example

American and British Spelling

I usually refer to the English language. It is a language shared, and mostly understood by people who speak it at home, in business and read street signs and literature all over the world. However, calling it British English not only adds in the Welsh, Scottish and Irish and overseas speakers of English, and Americans and Canadians. It distinguishes the local spelling and accents, British English, American English, Australian English, Singlish, and so on. Therefore when distinguishing accents and spellings it is clearer to refer to British English.

American spellings are simplified. Webster, a printer who produced dictinaries and school textbooks and worksbooks, decided to simplify the language and do away with double letters, jewellery becomes jewelry.

Similes and Metaphors

The word simile is for phases using similar to or like. She is like a jewel, looks like flower, or sings like a bird. If you say she is jewel or bird, that is called a metaphor, when one thing stands for another. 

I have listed some of the phrases twice, under the item of clothing and the initial letter of the phrase.

A

Ants in your pants

B

balaclava - worn in the battle

(Don't let the cat our of the) bag

(Tighten your) belt

Belt up (be quiet)

the green belt (environment)

Bloomers 

Boot somebody out / off a team

broderie anglaise

Buttoned up - finished, ready to go

C

(Don't let the) cat out of the bag (reveal a secret)

Put on your thinking cap

cardigan - worn by the battle leader of that name

Clothes shape, but manners maketh man.

hot under the collar

(Keep it under your) collar

Peter Pan collar

Mandarin collar

Cough it up

D

denim - originally de Nimes

Dressed to kill

F

Fits like a glove

Ruffle one's feathers

you've put your finger on it

To put your foot in it

Go in feet first

G

(Fits like a) glove

K

Don't get your knickers in a twist

H

He had a hand in it

He's handy

A handyman

(A) hat trick

(If the) hat fits, wear it

(Take your) hat off to somebody

Hats off to him

Wearing many hats

Keep your head screwed on

Losing your head

J 

jersey - place name, knitwear

(he/she is a) jewel

juggle the tasks

K

Don't get your knickers in a twist

(Keep it under your) collar

(Keep your) shirt on

(knock your) socks off

L

lantern sleeves

N

looking for a needle in a haystack (Trying to do an impossibly large task. The Chinese say looking for a needle in the sea.)

O

(on a) shoestring

(out of) pocket

P

Paisley - Indian pattern

Ants in your pants

pants on fire

Put on your thinking cap

Put a sock in it

Put your best foot forward

R

rags to riches

run into somebody

run away from a problem

roll up your sleeves

Ruffle one's feathers

S

it was sewn up (finished)

Keep your shirt on

Walk a mile in someone else's shoes

Shoe horn it in

on a shoestring

don't sit on it

Skirt around the problem

(Wear your heart on your) sleeve

(Put a) sock in it

it will knock your socks off

Suited and booted - dressed up, ready to go

T

Take it away

Take your hat off to somebody

tartan - Scottish. Americans say plaid

The one who wears the trousers

Tighten your belt

It's a toss up between two things

Tuxedo - place name

W

walking away from the problem

walk off with it

walk into it / the situation

walk the talk

Wearing many hats

Wear your Sunday best

wear your heart on your sleeve

Wellington boot - from the Duke of Wellington

Z

Zip it up

Useful Websites

https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/style/fashion/trends-looks/10-iconic-fashion-pieces-named-for-people-or-places.htm


I am expanding this list. Come back for more tomorrow.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Waistcoat With Palm Trees & Parrots From Shein (and straw hat) post 582 from Angela Lansbury

Image
  Angela Lansbury wearing at waistcoat with palm trees.   Photo by Angela Lansbury. The Shein Waistcoat The waistcoat came from St Lukes charity shop. The label is Shein. Made in China. As you might expect  The St Luke's price was £3. I googled waistcoat, Shein, parrot, and the exact sme garment appeared immediately. The Shein model was wearing it over a white crop top with short denim shorts. The price was ten pounds plus three pounds postage. But as a new customer or returning customer (eg after a gap of several weeks not ordering) you might get offered free postage.  I like the fact that the patterns on the right and left mirror each other as if the parrots are about to speak to each other. Useful search words for the same or similar garments would be beach scene, colourful, multicolor, palm trees, sleeveless jacket, tank top, top, Travachic, tropical print, vest, waistcoat.  The Straw Hat  The straw hat was free, a promotional gift. Advertising Cea...
Read more

Pearl brooches on hat paired with M & S sweater with pearls. Dress Post 686 by Angela Lansbury

Image
    Sweater embroidered with mock pearls matches my hat pinned with mock pearl brooches.  I had never worn this pale grey sweater  I thought pale grey was a boring colour and always opted for something brighter such as royal blue or bight red. However, as I re-folded warm winter tops to fit them into my crammed dresser unit shelves, this fell out. Was the universe sending me a message?  I thought, I don't remember ever wearing it.  I must wear it once. Just for a change.  Snow is falling outside in London. Now is its hour. I looked  at the decoration. Sequins! I had been searching for sequins to wear at New Year. This thick sweater would not match my red solid sequin evening skirt. However, it would match my knitted hat, which bore brooches with mock pearls. The Grey Marl Sweater M & S Collection. Size 14. a mixture of four fabrics, cotton.  As I had anticipated, the garment had pinned inside some spare sequins and pearls and rhinestones....
Read more

Stripey Red & White Socks, thigh high, and tights - outfit 679 by Angela Lansbury

Image
  I bought a pair of knee high red and white stripe socks in St Luke's charity shop. At one pound or under, you can't lose much. (Their charity fundraising shops are in NW London in Hatch End, Harrow Weald and elsewhere.) Why did I buy the long socks, in hard to match, garish, childish, stripes - after hesitation and consideration? The Advantages Of Long Socks The  length was attractive, at this time of year. I often need long socks under a midi skirt. For warmth in winter. And not to show bit of bare legs above socks. To co-ordinate colours. Advantages and Disadvantages of Red and White Stripes I like red. It's fun. White can show dirt quickly.  Red and white is a bit restrictive. It will clash with patterns, only go with plain reds and whites. But under a table at dinner or on Zoom nobody else will notice. Nor will I. I will only feel them. If the socks are too tight, you might feel uncomfortable. At night, when you take them off, you might see red indentation lines acr...
Read more