Observed arrival · 2026-09-09
Idiom Insider, with receipts
A reference site tracing English idioms to dated first attestations, while separating documented origins from folk etymology.
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●Pro
◎Niche
◉Human
⚑Risk
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Field notes
Entries combine a plain-language definition with a historical label and an earliest recorded date or period. The homepage distinguishes documented attestations from popular stories, including “paint the town red” at 1883, “cold shoulder” at 1816, and “son of a gun” at 1708. Its method section says the project will identify a first attestation when supported and use “origin unknown” when the evidence does not establish one.
Observed signals
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Editorial observations of this landing page, not a rating.
○OpenPublic substance visible
✦PrettyNotable craft visible
●ProPolished or operationally mature
◎NicheUnusually specific use
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