The original wildgoose chase was actually a game in which riders on horseback tried to follow and keep up with a lead rider on whatever. Jan 01, 1999 let me begin with why i read this book. Idiom of the week by speech with sharon teachers pay. Bait stores routinely sold cans of worms and other popular live baits to fishermen, who often discovered how easy it was to. The biggest example of the can of worms is most likely wikipedia. Bookworm definition is a person unusually devoted to reading and study. I was wondering if you knew the origin of the idiom open a can of worms. Worms definition, a city in e rhinelandpalatinate, in sw germany. Some such larvae exhibit a superficial resemblance. Bookworm definition of bookworm by the free dictionary. Can of worms definition in the cambridge english dictionary. It is a writing cliche but has got popularity is verbal. Can of worms is an idiom referring to a slew of subsequent problems and dilemnas. Therefore, idiom history is much the same as idiom origin.
This board is dedicated to american idioms, idiomatic expressions and lessons to teach this type of figurative language. Have your head in the clouds what does this english. Each poster has an illustration, the idiom, meaning, and an example. Dont open up a can of worms phrase meaning and origin. Origin the origin of this phrase is from the 1950s found in edwardsville intelligencer, published in the united states. Over the past few years, both worms and viruses have become major problems, mainly due to widespread use of the internet. If someone gets a promotion that might not be deserved, it could open up a whole can of worms with the other employees. The can of worms was wide open when he asked her about her past. Open a can of worms idioms and phrases the free dictionary. The family has many can of worms so it is best to not ask them any personal questions. Metaphorically speaking, to open a can of worms means to inadvertently create numerous new problems while trying to solve one. The idiom can of worms appears to have derived in the 1950s and is influenced by the storage worms in cans, and these worms are used for.
If you say a situation or an issue is a can of worms, you think that getting involved in it could lead to problems. Can of worms is a science fiction comedy film and is part of the disney channel original movie lineup. The discovery of the transfer of funds turned out to be a real. The origin of the idiom bookworm probably originated as a somewhat derogatory term for a person who studied or read more than was usual. Id highly recommend this book to anyone considering worm bin. You can see how worm families moved over time by selecting different census years. Try reading the story one time to understand the gist without using the idiom definitions. Book worm definition of book worm by the free dictionary.
Definition of open up a can of worms in the idioms dictionary. It seems that an old bookworm who has a book and curio shop in baltimore discovered between the leaves of a very old spanish manuscript a letter written in. Chase spent all day in the library revising for the big exam. In this gorgeous new book, penguin offers an historic guide to over 1,200 of these works. For the uninitiated, the expression to open a can of worms means to attempt to solve one problem, or to do something, that creates a whole. The can of worms metaphor is very widely known, and one of my favorite examples, although a bit tangential to the usual meaning, is in rochester, n. After arriving at their fishing spot, they would set the metal can down. Fisherman used to buy sealed metal cans of earthworms, as opposed to the plastic containers or styrofoam cups of today. When a frustrated plea to the universe attracts a motley crew of aliens determined to rescue him, mike pillsbury decides he isnt quite ready to.
To describe a situation as a can of worms means that it is complicated, unpleasant and difficult to deal with. Bookworm meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. The little cat wormed her way into the box and got stuck. Metaphorically speaking, to open a can of worms is to examine or attempt to solve some problem, only to inadvertently complicate it and create even more trouble. Mar 01, 2000 kathy mackel is a novelist and screenwriter. For example, this line from daily record of glasgow in 2006, africa is a huge can of worms and we can no longer stick our heads in the sand, which seems to be combining two cliches into one and not making sense in either direction. An idiom according to world book dictionary 2001, p.
Definition of open a can of worms in the idioms dictionary. No one wanted to be the part of that project, realising that it was a can of worms. The design of the esl english second language curriculum should have a large section covering idioms and proverbs. While the exact origin and first usage isnt clear, various dictionaries and historians of slang and idioms agree that the phrase was born in the u. Meaning of idiom open a can of worms to open a can of worms means to do. Jan 22, 2014 the exact origin of the phrase is not completely known, but general consensus traces it back to the 1950s in the united states and literal cans of worms. You can try reformatting your computer, but once you open that can of worms, youll probably be working on it. May 01, 2020 metaphorically speaking, to open a can of worms means to inadvertently create numerous new problems while trying to solve one. After losing the referendum, salmond resigned, but he may yet have the last laugh as the concessions he won on more powers for scotland have left the uk political parties in disarray. Can of worms fast tracks holocaust survivors memoir. It premiered on disney channel on april 10, 1999, and is based on the novel of the same name by kathy mackel, which was a young readers choice nominee in 2002 and a nominee for the 2001 rhode island childrens book award. A can of worms is an issue with a number of complex aspects or opinions. A worksheet is included for your students to write out the idiom for that week, write their definition, their own sentences, and draw a picture.
I can hardly believe that there is this much information about worms to be had, honestly. I am not opening a can of worms by answering that question. Covering 4,000 years of literary history and featuring over 500 authors, this illustrated introduction to the world of penguin makes an incredible gift for any book lover in your life, especially if that book lover is you. I just so happened to be up at that hourim kidding, i recorded it because it sounded interesting. The origin of it comes from the fact that once a can of worms is open, they start coming out. Many people worry that by uncovering the cause of their unhappiness they might be opening a can of worms that they. In 1840 there were 2 worm families living in pennsylvania. It would open a can of worms in terms of who was really a victim and who was not.
The best selection of royalty free can of worms vector art, graphics and stock illustrations. The damage to books that is commonly attributed to bookworms is, in truth, not caused by any species of worm. English american idiom can of worms dictionary origins list meaning phrase examples history definition dictionary animal proverbs funny rare online time slang poem sports free meanings origin everyday book common. Have your head in the clouds what does this english idiom mean. Does the expression can of worms have anything to do with. Print out enough for all of your students to have a copy and hang them around your idiom of the week poster. Book worm synonyms, book worm pronunciation, book worm translation, english dictionary definition of book worm. A can of worms simply means, as has been pointed out, a tangled tale of complications that tend to wriggle when you look at them. Behind it stands two highrise apartment complexes, but if you were here in 1823 you would be looking at one of the most interesting manufacturing centers in new york city. There are idiom and expression resources that can help with definitions, but reading them in short stories can also provide context that makes them come more alive. Michael swans book practical english usage is a recommended reference for the english language, including idioms and proverbs. Worms are the latest as well as, of course, perhaps the oldest. Worm definition in the cambridge english dictionary. I ended up deciding not to have a worm composting bin, but the information in here is excellent for beginners to experts.
In the can definition, a sealed container for food, beverages, etc. The most worm families were found in the usa in 1880. Can of worms is an idiom referring to a slew of subsequent problems and dilemmas arising from a decision or action. The audit opened a can of worms revealing corruption, bribery and nepotism at the nonprofit organization. Idiom meaning to open a can of worms is to get involved with something that is unpleasant, difficult and not easily resolved. Getting involved in the minor border conflict has become a can of worms for the country, with no end to the military engagement in sight. The origin of this phrase is from the 1950s found in edwardsville intelligencer, published in the united states. Picture books about worms score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Experts disagree on the origin of the phrase, but it is generally believed to be a canadian or american metaphor coined sometime in the 1950s. Kathy has coached junior olympic and little league fastpitch softball. Can of worms definition and synonyms of can of worms in the.
Idioms are necessary if the students are being prepared to live in an english speaking society. This was about 33% of all the recorded worm s in the usa. The idiom has become a journalistic and writing cliche over the years. I enjoyed the movie, saw it was based on a book, and decided to read the book.
Then you can combine each students pages into a book at the end of the year. To get into that discussion would mean to open a can of worms. Also included are graphic organizers for students to write and draw examples of idioms. This is an example of the benefits of opening the can of worms properly. If you head to the block between 53 rd and 54 th streets overlooking the east river, youll find a charming little sliver of a park. If you were a book, would you be a fantasy novel or a math text book. Jun 28, 2012 metaphorically speaking, to open a can of worms is to examine or attempt to solve some problem, only to inadvertently complicate it and create even more trouble. Not in the sense of let me begin with why i read this book. The exact origin of the phrase is not completely known, but general consensus traces it back to the 1950s in the united states and literal cans of worms. However, a few idioms can be traced to one person or event. Worms, city, rhinelandpalatinate land state, southwestern germany. Dev920 nominated this for deletion, there was no way of knowing if she would have been attacked by many or praised. The origin of the idiom wildgoose chase, meaning a complicated or lengthy and usually fruitless pursuit or search, has nothing to do with the pursuit of the birdalthough we can imagine that chasing after and catching one would have its difficulties.
To open a can of worms means to encounter a topic that might be more than you wanted to get into. Oct 14, 2019 can of worms plural cans of worms idiomatic a complex, troublesome situation arising when a decision or action produces considerable subsequent problems. Watch this video to learn an expression to describe yourself. See more ideas about idioms, figurative language and idiomatic expressions. I am being held against my will, trapped by ignorance and cruelty. Books relating to can of worms and brief extracts from same to provide. Bookworm definition, a person devoted to reading or studying. Bookworm is a general name for any insect that is said to bore through books.
A favorite bait of fishermen is live, squiggly worms. Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom s figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. Bugs such as silverfish, book lice, and linoleum beetles were referred to as bookworms because they inhabited books. Bookworm is a general name for any insect that is said to bore through books the damage to books that is commonly attributed to bookworms is, in truth, not caused by any species of worm. Often, the larvae of various types of insects including beetles, moths and cockroaches, which may bore or chew through books seeking food, are responsible.
Now we have uncovered a can of worms in which there has not only been shameful abuse of power, but a failure of moral authority of the worst kind. Known originally as celtic borbetomagus, by the reign of julius caesar it was called civitas vangionum, the chief town of the vangiones. Common a can of worms is a situation or subject that is very complicated, difficult or unpleasant to deal with or discuss. A thinly veiled autobiographical fiction, can of worms is a silent grap. The story, titled worm, takes the form of a web serial, posted in bitesized reads in much the same way that authors such as mark twain would release their works one chapter at a time in the days before fullfledged novels. The cartoon is a literal illustration of the idiom to open a can of worms see below. Malware with selfreplicating capability has been an issue in the world of computing for several years, dating back to the first selfreplicating code created by ken thompson in 1984. Idiom of the week by a world of language learners tpt. An analysis of idioms and proverbs in the english language. The worm family name was found in the usa, the uk, canada, and scotland between 1840 and 1920. Yucky worms is a great title to the book as its what many people think of when they think of worms, however this book, a nonfiction, will definitely change your mind and maybe even fascinate both kids and adults to find out more about.
What does the idiom open a can of worms mean answers. Very well written, clear and concise while not being overbearing. Dec 23, 2018 if you were a book, would you be a fantasy novel or a math text book. Worm started in june 2011, updating twice a week, and finished in late november, 20. Open up a can of worms idioms by the free dictionary. There was, once upon a time, a disney channel original movie called can of worms playing at 3am. In this handy guide, the authors of dead snails leave no trails demystify the world of worm wrangling, with everything you need to know to build your own worm bin, make your garden wormfriendly, pamper your soil, and much much more. Its important to learn and use idioms and expressions in context. The origin of the idiom open a can of worms may come from buying fishing bait. Of course, idioms are not always easy to understand. An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, nonliteral meaning attached to the phrase. Worms is a port on the left west bank of the rhine river, just northwest of mannheim. When fishermen bought bait, it would come in a can. Each time you get one back in, two more are slithering out.