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Idioms: Then vs. now



Language is constantly changing. The way we talk today is not the same as how people spoke 50 years ago, or even 10 years ago. One of the most interesting aspects of language is idioms. These are phrases that do not mean what is literally said. For example, if someone says “couch potato,” they do not mean the literal vegetable, but instead refer to someone who watches a large amount of television rather than exercising. Over the years, most idioms have been shortened, altering their meaning. In some cases, idioms have adapted to express the opposite meaning of what was originally intended.

  • The early bird catches the worm...
    ...but the second mouse gets the cheese.

  • Curiosity killed the cat...
    ...but satisfaction brought it back.

  • Jack of all trades, master of none...
    ...sometimes better than master of one.

  • Great minds think alike...
    ...but only fools rarely differ.

  • Birds of a feather flock together...
    ...until the cat comes.

  • Winning is not everything...
    ...it’s the only thing.

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Vanguard Presents: Languages

October, 2025

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