Usually, Wayne’s Word is about one word, however, this time, I am doing things a little differently.

Over the past few months I have collected a numerous amount of sayings and expressions that I use without giving them a second thought. That is, until I use one around colleagues from different parts of the world and get the inevitable blank stare,

“What does that mean?”

It has made me realise just how strange some of our everyday sayings actually are. So, this time, rather than one word, here are a few of my favourite sayings and a look at just how bizarre they sound when you stop and think about them! Let me know if you have heard of any of these, if you use them or haven’t a clue what I am talking about!

1 – Talk the leg off a stool
Someone who can talk… and talk… and talk. I’m not sure why the poor stool gets it!

2 – Getting on like a house on fire
Two people who get along exceptionally well. Slightly unfortunate imagery when you think about it. A house on fire isn’t generally regarded as a positive thing but it does happen extremely quickly.

3 – Flat as a pancake
Completely flat, although pancakes aren’t always that flat.

4 – Beating around the bush
Avoiding the point rather than getting straight to it.

5 – Too many cooks spoil the broth
Too many people trying to control the same thing can make a mess of it. A useful saying, particularly in kitchens, committees, group projects or dare I say, even a hospital.

6 – What’s your poison?
Usually an invitation to choose an alcoholic drink. A wonderfully dramatic way of asking someone what they would like, however, I find this funny as alcohol is literally a poison.

7 – Suckin’ diesel
Things are going well. You’re finally making progress. One of those expressions that sounds completely ridiculous if you’ve never heard it before (very Northern Irish).

8 – Fur coat, no knickers
Someone or something that looks impressive on the outside but lacks substance underneath. A wonderfully colourful expression and very difficult to explain without sounding slightly bizarre.

9 – Mutton dressed as lamb
Someone older trying to dress or behave much younger than they are. Perhaps not the kindest saying in the world, but certainly one that has survived the generations. I used to think it was someone trying to look better than they are, interesting I never thought about age but it makes sense.

10 – By the beard of the Prophet!
An expression of surprise or disbelief and considerably more interesting than simply saying, “Good grief!”

11 – You can’t bring the mountain to Mohammed
If someone won’t come to you, sometimes you have to go to them.

12 – You can’t fatten a thoroughbred
Some people simply don’t put on weight easily, no matter how much they eat. A phrase that sounds like it came straight from a stable. I used this a lot growing up when people would question why I was so skinny.

13 – Round the world for a shortcut
Taking an unnecessarily complicated route to achieve something that could have been done much more simply. A phrase that probably applies to most of us at some point.

14 – Is the Pope Catholic?
A sarcastic way of saying that something is obviously true. “Do you like chocolate?” “Is the Pope Catholic?” Well… yes.