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Where did the phrase to egg someone on come from?
The verb eggede, from which the phrase to egg someone on is derived, has been in the English language since approximately 1200. It is derived from the Old Norse word eggja, which means to incite or provoke. The idiom to egg someone on first appeared in the mid-1500s.
What is the meaning of egg someone on?
Definition of egg on : to urge or encourage (someone) to do something that is usually foolish or dangerous He continued to take off his clothes while the crowd egged him on.
Is it egging on or edging on?
The oldest spelling of this verb meaning “incite” is “egge” pronounced “edge,” and the spellings “edge” and “egg” coexisted for a long time before “egg” edged out its rival. Now, however, saying someone is edged on to do something is likely to be regarded as a mistake.
What’s another word for egg on?
In this page you can discover 31 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for egg on, like: spur, goad, incite, excite, instigate, dissuade, prod, provoke, set off, propel and urge.
Why do people suck on eggs?
Since sucking eggs is quick, requires no preparation, and does not involve carrying the eggs away, it’s an ideal way for someone steal a quick meal from a henhouse. “Egg-sucking” therefore also is sometimes used to indicate dishonesty or contemptibility.
What is it called when you encourage someone?
entice. verb. to persuade someone to do something, especially by offering them an advantage or reward.
What does egged on mean in slang?
egg on slang To urge someone to do something, often something mischievous. A noun or pronoun can be used between “egg” and “on.” Trevor’s never been in trouble before, so I’m sure his friends egged him on to start the food fight.
Is it offensive to call someone an egg?
The origins of calling someone an egg was probably meant for MTF transitioners (because “eggs” hatch into “chicks”) however the term has come to encompass all other trans people as well, like FTMs and Non-Binary people as well. It’s not meant to be offensive, just a tongue-in-cheek joke about hindsight.
What is the meaning of egging on Donald?
Incite, urge ahead, provoke, as in Jack is always egging me on to drive faster, or Seemingly quiet, Margo actually eggs on Donald to quarrel with his staff. This expression has nothing to do with hen’s eggs but comes from an Old Norse word, eggja, “to edge.”
What is the origin of the term ‘egghead’?
Egghead. In the U.S. English slang, egghead is an anti-elitist epithet used to refer to intellectuals or people considered too out-of-touch with ordinary people and too lacking in realism, common sense, sexual interests, etc. on account of their intellectual interests. It was part of a widespread anti-elitist social movement that insisted…