Etymology. English spade is from Old English spadu, spædu (f.) or spada (m.). The same word is found in Old Frisian spade and Old Saxon spado. High German spaten only appears in Early Modern German, probably loaned from Low German.
Who coined call a spade a spade?
“To call a spade a spade” entered the English language when Nicholas Udall translated Erasmus in 1542. Famous authors who have used it in their works include Charles Dickens and W. Somerset Maugham, among others.
What does the proverb call a spade a spade mean?
idiom informal. to say the truth about something, even if it is not polite or pleasant.4 days ago
Where does the phrase in spades come from? The idiom wasn’t used prior to the 1920s, so it is said to be derived from the card game Bridge, which was popular during that time. Spades were the highest ranking suit in that card game, so the more spades you had, the more likely you were to win.
How do you use calls a spade a spade in a sentence? Definition of ‘to call a spade a spade’ I’m not at all secretive, and I’m pretty good at calling a spade a spade.
Where does the word spade come from? – Related Questions
What is the saying out in lavender?
The expression, mostly used in informal contexts, means to criticise someone severely; to give him/her a dressing down. *The CEO was angry with the Manager. She laid him out in lavender.
What is the meaning of the idiom a man of straw?
man of straw noun [C] (WEAK) someone who has a weak character: He was accused by his opponents of being a man of straw and lacking in decisiveness.4 days ago
Is it politically correct to say in spades?
A: There’s nothing racially motivated or politically incorrect about the expression “in spades” or “coming up spades.” The spade is the highest rated suit of cards in contract bridge and other card games in which the suits are ranked.
What does it mean to pay someone back in spades?
pay (someone) back in spades 1. To get or seek revenge or retribution on someone. After our fight in the school yard, I resolved to pay the bully back in spades for the black eye he’d given me.
What does it mean paying in spades?
Considerably, in the extreme; also, without restraint. For example, They were having money problems, in spades, or Jan told him what he really thought of him, in spades. This expression alludes to spades as the highest-ranking suit in various card games, such as bridge, and transfers “highest” to other extremes. [
Is there a difference between a spade and a shovel?
The shovel blade tends to be larger than that found on spades. A spade generally has a relatively flat blade with straight edges. It’s smaller than a shovel (although size does vary, depending on use) and the blade tends to be in line with the shaft, rather than angled forward.
What is the term spade?
1 : a digging implement adapted for being pushed into the ground with the foot. 2 : a spade-shaped instrument.
How many spades are in a 52 card?
– There are 4 suits (Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds, and Spades) and there are 13 cards in each suit (Clubs/Spades are black, Hearts/Diamonds are red) – Without replacement means the card IS NOT put back into the deck.
What is the idiom of bring out?
Other Idioms and Phrases with bring out bring out. 1. Expose or reveal; make conspicuous. For example, His book brought out some new facts about the war, or Her photographs bring out the play of light on her subjects. [ Late 1500s]
What is the sentence of an open secret?
It’s an open secret that he’s been cheating on his wife. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘open secret.
How do you use bluestocking in a sentence?
- Elizabeth was a 18th century bluestocking who was much more interested in books than men.
- Although women of her time were excluded from formal education, the bluestocking could read as well as any man.
What is the meaning of idiom white elephant?
something that is expensive, or that costs a lot of money to keep in good condition, but that has no useful purpose and is no longer wanted: She believes the development may become a white elephant that fails to attract suitable tenants.
What does old as Methuselah mean?
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Methuselah’s name “has become a synonym for longevity”. Saying that someone is “as old as Methuselah” is a humorous way of saying that someone is very elderly.
What does lavender mean in love?
This flower represents serenity, grace, and calmness. The biblical meaning of lavender symbolizes purity, devotion, and love; that’s why lavender is referenced more than a hundred times in the Bible by the name of nard or spikenard by Hebrews.
What does the saying I smell a rat mean?
to recognize that something is not as it appears to be or that something dishonest is happening: He’s been working late with her every night this week – I smell a rat!4 days ago
What does the idiom snake in the grass mean?
Definition of snake in the grass : a secretly faithless friend.
What does the idiom have an AXE to grind?
to have a strong personal opinion about something that you want people to accept and that is the reason why you do something: Environmentalists have no political axe to grind – they just want to save the planet.
What’s another way to say in spades?
| decidedly | markedly |
|---|---|
| expressly | manifestly |
| positively | undeniably |
| unquestionably | certainly |
| definitely | downright |
What are the rules for spades?
Is there a difference between a spade and a shovel?
The shovel blade tends to be larger than that found on spades. A spade generally has a relatively flat blade with straight edges. It’s smaller than a shovel (although size does vary, depending on use) and the blade tends to be in line with the shaft, rather than angled forward.
What is the term spade?
1 : a digging implement adapted for being pushed into the ground with the foot. 2 : a spade-shaped instrument.
When was the spade shovel invented?
3,000 – 1,000 BC approx.) Recent discoveries of Bronze Age tools have provided further evidence of prehistoric mining practices and the extraction of metal from its ore. A wooden shovel – discovered at Alderley Edge copper mines in Cheshire – has been dated back to approximately 1750 BC.
What is a garden spade?
long and a flattened, rectangular blade as opposed to a shovel’s scooped blade. Garden spade tools are used for light cultivation not earth moving, and the shape of the blade helps cut sod, reshape beds and digging out deeper planting holes. There are numerous types of specialty spades, with specialized purposes.
