

Paul Anthony Jones
Joined: Jun 20, 2014
Paul Anthony Jones is a writer and musician from Newcastle upon Tyne. He is the author of word origins guide Haggard Hawks and Paltry Poltroons, and runs its tie-in Twitter account @HaggardHawks.


Why Do We Call the Country “the Boonies”?

Where Does the Phrase ‘Going to Hell in a Handbasket’ Come From?

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #32
Why Are Some Towns Called “Bedroom Communities”?
These planned communities became popular in the U.S. after World War II.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #31
The riddle below dates back to 1807—can you figure it out?
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #30
The riddle below dates back to 1876—can you figure it out?
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #29
The riddle below dates back to 1875—can you figure it out?
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #28
The riddle below dates back to the 1920s—can you figure it out?
Where Did the Expression ‘Gung Ho’ Come From?
We get this byword for enthusiasm from an officer in the Marines named Evans Fordyce Carlson.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #27
The riddle below dates back to the 19th century—can you figure it out?
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #26
The riddle below dates back to the 1600s—can you figure it out?
Where Did the Saying ‘Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb’ Come From?
The phrase dates back to the 19th century, but it took a fictional 20th century detective to take its popularity to new heights.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #25
The riddle below dates back to 1806—can you figure it out?
What Does the Ship Designation ‘SS’ Mean?
The initialism was originally a bit of shipbuilder marketing—and now there are many different kinds of ship designations.
Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #24
This brainteaser dates back to 1924—can you figure it out?