I’m Head Over Heels!
“Head Over Heels” what does it really mean? Think about it!
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Posted on February 8, 2008 · Filed Under Lessons
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Hm, I don´t know what to say, it always ends up on saying “nice one”.
The problem is that I want to say something…..hum…..
My comments won´t be the best ones, but people told you already “don´t let the dogs out, hold em down”
(d*** I´m a little drunk at the moment, though I don´t get along with alcohol….back to my studies…)
Hey tedt, what time zone are you in? It’s only 18:45 in Europe. You started early. If you’re in EST, congrats. If it’s PST, wow
Europe !!! I thought it was such a nice day, so I grabbed a beer (or two….) and now it ends up in a disaster….”sort of”
.
I don´t drink all day, I was just happy today…….
Cool tedt!
PS: If you think 18:45 is early then wait until I get to the Martini lesson, there I can tell you something about Russians and alcohol
.
. I won´t tell a lot but some small parts.
I think I already got a Doctor in “Vodka sessions” by hanging out with some old friends
They all made it…..nobody left behind….it was a nice time
.
Dans ce clip, tu es époustouflante, éclatante, pas de blague…..tu me tues, tu me blesses…. c’est plutôt ta figure et tes yeux étincelants m’envoûtent…. ta beauté me trouble…. et ta chevelure dont j’imagine le parfum le plus enivrant…quelles bêtises je t’ai écrit
Hello, Marina
one phrase that doesn’t really make sense is:
“The alarm clock went off at 6:00am”, when really it’s going on.
Marina,
A word whose meaning has totally changed from its’ original meaning is CARNIVAL. Give it your best shot.
Señor Mike
Okay Marina, here’s one that always gets twisted around…
“You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
You can have your cake and eat it, what you can’t do is eat your cake and have it too.
I was honestly thinking it had to do with something sexual, if it’s “heels over head” think about it for a moment. That’s really the only thing that makes sense to me, considering it has to do with “love”. Either way I’m sure you’ll have a great Christmas…. I mean…. never mind
Wow, you’ve said it all
buzzword
I think this one might be a variation of “love you until death” or “love you til death” if anyone else knows more, correct me if I’m wrong
I have an interesting one. This one originated when I started to learn German, and our teacher said “be quiet bubies” (buben means boys in German). I was wondering the origin of the word boobs to how we know it as the female breast. does this have any correlation?
embarrassing yes, but I’m just curious because the two words don’t sound very similar.
Hi Marina -
Good job as usual!
Here is my homework. Sayings that don’t make sense include:
“a basket case” (someone who is crazy is a “basket case?” Why???)
“as all get-out” (why is someone who is beautiful as beautiful “as all get out?” For example, “Marina is as beautiful as all get-out.”)
“as drunk as a skunk” (are skunks really drunk, or do they just act that way? Huh)
“as clean as a whistle” (since whistles are constantly being blown by people using their mouths… are they really all that clean?)
for the “clean as a whistle” phrase, if a whistle gets too dirty on the inside, it’s doesn’t work as well or even at all. So people who work with whistles need them too be as clean as possible, or “clean as a whistle”
For some reason I couldn’t post my homework in the “muscle or mouse” section - so this comment gives you some eponym body parts:
Adam’s apple
artery of Adamkiewicz
Broca’s convolusion (see “Broca’s Brain”)
These are some “interesting” ones….
Buck’s fascia
Frankenhauser’s ganglion
canal of Nuck
Pawlik’s triangle
here’s a good phrase “catch 22″
thanks for the chance to respond
RED
How about “hot water heater?” Why would you need to heat hot water? Shouldn’t it be a “cold water heater?”
Charlie
Dear Marina,
I just enjoy watching your videos sooo much!
I was wondering about the origin of the phrases to “pay attention” and to “pay respects” - aren’t these verbs/actions? How do we “pay” them? Please help clarify these for us viewers out there
Great video, but what else is new… You always seem to do 5 star work!
I noticied that you have not done any words that start with Z, so here is my word request. I think ZEUGMA would make a nice addition to your word list and the vocabulary of your viewers. Thanks.
Well hello there,Marina!
Your videos are absolutely fabulous…Here’s my request:
What is the origin of the word,”transmission”? Thanks…Pinky
Hi Marina,
How about the word internecine???
Please investigate the word “celestial” as it relates to the heavens above.
hi there I would like to know the origin of the word Angelic
Marina, I have a word for you to study up on.
“Love”
Such a powerful thing, yet no one seems to have requested it yet…it is simple yet so complicated. How did this powerful feeling get associated with this word?
I would “love” to hear what you find out on the word, though truthfully as long as I keep seeing your beautiful face in these videos, I’ll be a happy man.
great lesson, how about the word bologna, you know the meat. Pronounced balonie or something like that
State-of-the-art means the highest level of development, as of a device, technique, or scientific field, achieved at a particular time.
Where did that phrase come from? If we break down and analyze the words “art” and “state” separately they do not explain remotely what they mean when placed together.
Thanks
kk
“state” is used in the sense of, “state of mind”, or “altered state” and is synonymous with “condition” or “level”. “Art” is used in the sense of referring to a craft or practice, not the product of such practice, i.e.- ” I hung some art on my wall”. Given this, “State-of-the-art” aptly conveys its meaning as, “level of craft” or “condition of the practice”. You’re correct in observing that nowhere does the phrase imply that that standard is high, but, as with so many turns of phrase, the meaning is in the mind of the speaker; So we can have, “My new bike is state-of-the-art!” or, “The state of the art of genetics is in it’s infancy.”
Most of us have used a hot water heater. Why is it called a hot water heater? Why would we have to heat hot water? It would already be hot wouldn’t it? We need the device to heat COLD water therefore it should be a cold water heater. Where did that idea come from?
kk
Hi Marina…..have another saying for you…where does the statement “LOVE YOU TO DEATH”….come from…..
frankk
Just a guess, it could be similar to the nuptial vow, “… till death do us part.” As in I will love you until death. Unless your a stalker. Then, “… love you to death” becomes a threat and punishable by law.
Ah, but love is a many splintered thing. Or is it splendored thing. As for the origin of the phrase, it comes from the heart and often ends in court.
buzzword
I remember hearing a teacher say the phrase “same difference” instead of same thing, and I never understood that one.
This might be a regional thing. I find people from Michigan say “kitty corner” instead of “catacorner”
come to mean being drunk?… thanks for your help
I have question: If a dozen means twelve things, then why is a “baker’s dozen” thirteen things? I don’t understand. Thank you for your help!!
A baker’s dozen numbers 13 so that the baker can sample the quality of the batch, yet still have an even dozen to sell.
I heard that it was because the cakes crumbled that they put an extra one in so the customer knew he was getting all he paid for.
I know that the soldiers in the military say the phrase, “Good to Go!”
ok i have one for you.my aunt asked me why in football once they score why is it called a touch down did they have to touch the ball down in the inzone.like place it in the inzone or enzone ok bye for now ill be on later i have been watching your vids and also saw you on red eye but with your link not the show.i know how good it feels to be on tv . i have been on 5,29,35,41,12.all except 4 on basic tv and not because i was want by the FBI i was a spokes person for meals on wheels a non profit organization.in san antonio tx.it is world wide but i was just in san antonio.well enough of me.hope to see you soon again well not that i have seen you in person,but a reply.love your personality and your smile.not to forget or mention your very beautiful ill be waiting for my special calendar autographed by you in the mail.
how about the origin of “he let the cat out of the bag” ??
Thanks, love the site.
I have always heard letting the cat out of the bag is an old sailor expression for someone about to get flogged. It literally referred to the Bosun taking the cat of nine tails out of the bag it was stored in. I always figured its current meaning comes from the fact that if someone let a secret slip about something bad, the cat was about to be brought out of the bag.
wat is zee meaning of zee word homogenous…….please and thank u gracie
homogeneous means basically the same throughout, such as milk being homogenized, or of a same kind. coming from the Greek homo meaning the same, and genes meaning born.
why do teen numbers begin their pronuciation with the 2nd digit (e. g.) four-teen(14) shoudent it be one-four as the normal is forty-one(41) or four-hundred(400)?also why does “bla bla bla” have to be said three times in order for it to have some meaning such as “continuing talking” where as saying “bla bla” or “bla bla bla bla” is just complete jiberous?
This is from the germanic roots (the angles and saxons took with them when they moved to England) of saying four and ten for fourteen much like Germany still does for the number of hours in a day four and twenty.
I’d like to request a word… “subscribe”
*No Wonder English Is So Hard To Learn.*
Thank God we have a great teacher! Below are some words that can confuse lots of your pupils Marina. In case you run out of words, here are some Hot ones.
We polish the Polish furniture.
He could lead if he would get the lead out.
A farm can produce produce.
The dump was so full it had to refuse refuse.
The soldier decided to desert in the desert. ( with his dessert? )
The present is a good time to present the present.
At the Army base, a bass was painted on the head of a bass drum.
The dove dove into the bushes.
I did not object to the object.
The insurance for the invalid was invalid.
The bandage was wound around the wound.
There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
They were too close to the door to close it.
The buck does funny things when the does are present.
They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line.
To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
After a number of Novocain injections, my jaw got number.
I shed a tear when I saw the tear in my clothes.
I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
I spent last evening evening out a pile of dirt.
One of the reasons that languages are so fascinating is that they are constantly evolving - this is how words change meaning over time.
One way the language evolves is by the use of euphemisms and dysphemisms; a euphemism is an acceptable substitution word or phrase for an objectionable or taboo one and a dysphemism is the obverse - a crude, profane or racy but often humorous substitution for a bland one.
I’m sure everyone can think of many euphemisms but an example of a dysphemism which doesn’t make any sense is “It goes like sh** off a hot shovel”. Have you ever tried it? It sticks like sh** to a blanket!
2evolving”? how about “changing”?
“evolving” leaves the impression that languages are becoming more “sophisticated” and complex. which imo is not true.
oh man … “evolving” … :/
should proofread before posting …
An interesting point of view, Alex, however, nowhere in the OED definition of “evolve” can I find any reference to a requirement for improvement.
It seems to simply mean “to roll out, to disengage from wrappings, to give off or emit e.g.vapours, to bring out, to give rise to, to produce or modify.”
It also depends on your understanding of the meaning of “sophisticated”.
The OED says “Mixed with some foreign substance, adulterated, not pure… , deprived of primitive simplicity or naturalness, rendered artificial, falsified…”
I would say that is exactly what is happening.
Progress, unfortunately, is not always positive.
What does our gorgeous teacher have to say on this matter?
Oh Marina, you are such a sexy goddess….
How did the expression “Half in the Bag”
come to mean being drunk?…
…And would there then be any meaning
for - All in the bag????
Thank you & love you!
heyy marina baby
,
im new here and i like your educational yet sexy videos. I just want to request a word
“horny” and not being a pervert or anything. I just want to know the origins of the word and share it with people. Thanx a lot. You’re the best teacher on earth
mwahxxx!
Hot for Burgers, “aristocrat” is something any dictionary would tell you. (Hmm, who buys dictionaries anymore?) It comes from “aristocracy” which means rule by the best people, the nobly-born. An aristocrat is then one of the best, what we in English call a nobleman. There were also noblewomen, of course, but they didn’t usually rule.
I guess el professor has never been married or met any feminists.
Girl Power ??? Throw a couple more on the fire - they’re so hot
you don’t even have to _buy_ a dictionary.
Oxford English Dictionary
Glottopedia
Wiktionary
Online Etymology Dictionary
Merriam Webster
Bartleby
The Linguist List
chomsky cartoons
mh. my reply doesn’t show in the internet explorer.
edit?
Hi Marina,
David C. here from Vancouver, Canada. I would like to submit 2 requests. The first is for the phrase “Hot Blooded” and the second is for the word “Passion”. Both could be used for themes around Valentines Day. You put together a very informative, creative, fun, humerous and sexy show. Keep up the great work!
Sincerely, David Cristofoli
I’ve always had the wondering why they call it expository writing. If you really look at the meaning, it is not expository. So please, here is my suggestion.
EXPOSITORY
Thanks.
Howdy Marina.
Great as ever, but another phrase would be “rule of the rooster”… Does it refer to animal life or where does that come from?
Thanks
Streetsurfer68
I’d like to know the origin of the word “Jaywalking”
Who knew learning the origin of words and phrases could be so fun. Thanks for all that you do.
-Sara
Profesora, may I request your wisdom in finding the facts behind the word “hiccups”?
just another onomatopoeic word …
Why can’t English get more creative? A common miner’s disease is called ‘black lung.’ So why, if the diggers in question are hammering through harder rock, do they suffer instead from the language’s longest word: pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcaniconiosis? And is that really the longest word?
Yours in tongue(s),
Vacca Ignis
P.S. That’s philoligistic greeting, of course!
Hi Marina–
Where does the phrase “My Two Cents” comes from?
I just noticed that when looking at the DVD case of “The Tuxedo” that the french translation was “Le Smoking”. I was wondering why the word smoking doesn’t mean the same thing in both countries.
I know that “le Smoking” is short for “Smoking Jacket”, a special garment worn when smoking so that the smoker didn’t have to present himself in polite society “stinking like a reeking lum” (a Scottish expression for a smoking chimney).
Too bad present day smokers are not so considerate
Its also fairly obvious why the Linux penguin is called Tux, but I have no idea where the word Tuxedo comes from.
Marina:
I can easily think of a similar phrase.
“Talking behind someone’s back.” Which is of course, talking in front of them, and thus exposed to their scrutiny. Which is exactly the opposite of the phrase’s meaning.
I look forward to your videos, Being here in Iraq, it is nice to see a smart, english speaking woman that is not wearing a combat uniform.
FF
Hi Marina: Another great video.
“Lets Talk”
Seriously though, this homework has me stumped and I’m just too tired to focus. Roughly translated that means - “I’m tired”.
Helloi Marina,
As someone who enjoys taking photos of things I would like to submit the word
“photography” to add to your list. Thanks
Oops, I just saw that you already did blackmail. I’m an idiot.
I have a couple of phrase origins I cannot find.
The Whole Nine Yards and On Cloud Nine. What is the significance of the nine in these expressions?
Also, where does term Blackmail originate from?
By the way… you look great as always. Don’t you ever have an off day?
The whole nine yards is how much concrete you get if you order a truck full, ordering a partial load does not change transportation costs which is more than the concrete.
Here’s my homework submission. “Fast as greased lightning”. First, you can’t grease it & second, I think grease would slow it.
That’s another one 
Great lesson because I’ve heard & used the phrase all my life and never saw the nonsense of it. That includes those times that I’d slip on ice and go “head over heels”. Given where you’re from, you know exactly what that feels like
Lastly, I’ve watched many lessons and they keep getting better(content) and you are cuter than a bug in a rug. HEY
Hey, dude. The phrase is, “snug as a bug in a rug”. I think you merged it with, “cuter than a bug’s nuts”!
You are such a Q T,, which way is up,, I know you are ,,and a very interesting woman,,, Namaste ,, where did that word come from,, you don’t have to do a show on it ,,you could just tell me ,, I know you know what that means so I am saying it to you,,, Namaste
Namasté comes from Sanskrit “namas” to bow, to make obeisance, and “te” you.
Literally it means “I bow to you” or “Respek, Man” and is accompanied by a gesture of placing the hands, palms together and fingers straight, in front of your body or head or even above the head depending on how much reverence the speaker has for the greetee - the higher the hands, the more the respect.
It is mostly used in India but also carries over to other Asian counties, for example the “Wai” in Thailand.
Marina:
Please me as the one who receives your personalized Valentine’s Card through the snail mail
Love ya hollywood.
Hello Marina,
How’s about ye then! (Is a Belfast saying)
Translates into: I fancy you!
Have a great evening, it’s get late over here in the UK.
jcnick.
Not a word request, per se. Maybe you could post a lesson on how general knowlege of history and language can be indispensable in parsing the meaning of unfamiliar words. For example: Many years ago I won a bet among several co-workers who were trying to guess the meaning of “Parthenogenesis”. “Genesis” is a no-brainer, but the others were struggling to make sense of “partheno”. Based on an assumption that this referred to the Parthenon, in Athens, and knowing that it was dedicated to Pallas Athena, I gleaned that the word was descriptive of Athena’s birth (She sprang whole from a crack in Zeus’s forehead, self-inflicted to relieve a headache), and so guessed “immaculate or divine conception”. When all bets were in, I was closest to the true definition of “birth from an unfertilized egg”. I won $120, and the immediate respect of my peers. - B.
As usual you have totally redefined “grading on (a) curve(s)”…anyway…i have a little hanging plaque that begins “God grant me the serenity…” what can you tell us about the word serenity…its definition in context and its origins…thanks and keep cranking out the videos…
katze
I’d like to suggest the word oneiromancy.
hows this for a word request….
Aristocrats
Don’t know where the heck that name came from or where it was even made. Any Ideas?
Hi Marina!!
I need some of your good lernin…..where did the phrase “what goes around comes around” originate?
Also… the phrase, ” be there or/(and) be square”
and….SAME-O SAMO-O, or Same-old, Same-old
Thank you for your help, the origin of these expressions have haunted me for years. Love ya.. too hot for words!!! Fred
i know about a case
In Sudamerica , especially in Argentina they try to give luck each other (only in tv shows or theaters) telling Shit (mierda on spanish).This have a logical explanation…In ancient times when a theater perform for the first time a play, the high society attend to it and they move in carriages pulled by horses.If the horses were a lot ,they defecate on the ground and a big amount of poop meaned a lot of public, and a good gain for the theaters.Then it became a tradition and it survived till this days.. it is not a nice story but is the explanation for this strange custom.
(i miss sudamerica so much… specially the football)
Greatings
Franco
People often say “I could care less”- when what they REALLY mean is
“I could NOT care less”.
When did this phrase get twisted?
Keep up the good work Marina and your trusty HotForWords team!
you asked earlier for words that have opposite connotations. i’ve always wonder why “break a leg” is used to offer someone good luck. ouch!
I know the answer to this!
Theatre superstition. Since the theatre is all pretend, not reality, superstition says to do things backwards. So “break a leg” means “don’t break a leg”. For a dancer, to break a leg on stage would be disastrous.
Theatre superstition also says that if an actor has to make the sign of the cross, he must do it backwards, fyi.
another thing that came to my mind: the literal translation of this idiom from german into english is: “neck over head”.
would be interesting to hear about other languages. anyone?
good thing you did an idiom this time … since single words are way easier to find out about yourself.
ditto…
No more heals?
Anyway, Marina, another word request:
“Booze” - does it have anything to do with “boobs” and “ooze”?
(for all those lonely people out there)
Which reminds me of other interesting words: bereavement, despair, hope - all in relation to valentine’s day.
nighteye, would help if I proofread the videos before posting! I don’t know what I was thinking!
great video, love it…
утра я первый?
это еще один русский, кроме меня? если да, пожалуйста, мне anser я упал одиноко в этой страницей