The origins of this phrase involved horse and carts, drinking water and an unquenchable thirst.

Back in the day when this phrase came to light, throwing your hat in the ring often resulted in some nasty bruises.

What do a trophy horn, a sharp knife and a nervous gambler have in common? They all had a hand in the development of this phrase.

This is not a Scottish phrase, as you might expect. This phrase takes us back to a Scandinavian tax and ways to avoid it.

We in Ireland have a fine collection of white elephants, but the one that gave rise to this phrase was an actual animal and lived in Siam.

This phrase takes us back to a man who was truly loathed in Ireland. A cruel tyrant and ruthless soldier, he was behind the door when good looks were given out. And he made unusual demands of his portrait painter.

Have you ever seen something go up the spout? Your Celtic Tiger property investment, maybe? This particular spout goes back to the days of an unusual distribution system.

This phrase has nothing to do with flavour everything to do with sailing.

We here in Ireland are well used to chancing our arm, aren't we? How fitting, then, that the phrase should originate here. Listen in to hear about feuding families, religious refuge, and one heck of a brave Irishman.