British Study on Confusing Phrases

A recent study has highlighted the perplexing nature of English idioms and misnomers, with phrases like "raining cats and dogs" and "as easy as pie" leaving many Brits scratching their heads. The survey, conducted by OnePoll, found that "a dime a dozen" was the most confusing idiom, baffling 24% of participants, while "cat got your tongue" puzzled 14%. Misleading names also emerged as a significant source of confusion, with "tennis bracelet" (32%) and "herringbone" (17%) topping the list. The study revealed that 22% of respondents have mistakenly used a misnomer in the wrong context, and 16% admitted to misunderstanding the function of certain terms. Interestingly, 32% of participants have actively sought out the meanings of unusual sayings, while 24% confessed to pretending to understand them. The most popular misnomers included "funny bone" (26%) and "daddy longlegs" (21%). Food-related terminology also proved to be a source of confusion, with 38% of respondents admitting to being baffled by menu items. The survey indicated that 54% struggled with ingredient lists, while 35% were confused by the form of dishes. A notable 86% of participants acknowledged the quirky nature of food names, with "devilled eggs" and "spotted dick" among the most peculiar. Kelly Lawrence, a spokesperson for LU, commented on the phenomenon, noting that many food items have names that can be misleading, yet they contribute to the rich tapestry of the English language.