When retired Haywood County teacher, Jane Hopkins, taught 4^th grade students, the teaching of idioms was part of her lesson plans. Hopkins says, “Idioms are part of our southern heritage. These phases and expressions are unique to where we live. They enrich our language and add color to our culture.”

While teaching college students, I often worked with international students. In a conversation with a Chinese girl, I said, “Come here and let me put a bug in your ear.” To which she covered both ears with her hands and ran away. A few minutes later, I explained that I wanted to tell her something in private and this was an idiom I had used.

An idiom can be described as a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning. The English language has an estimated twenty-five million idioms.

Each language and dialect has its own distinct, complex system of idioms. These are derived from local or cultural customs, historical events, important figures, or religious traditions.

Look at the following list of familiar idioms. How many have you heard or used?

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Carolyn Tomlin is a Jackson, Tennessee-based author who has been writing and publishing since 1988. She has authored 19 books and more than 4,000 articles in magazines such as Entrepreneur, Kansas City Star, American Profile, Tennessee Home & Farm, Home Life, Mature Living, ParentLife and many others.  You can purchase her full-length works here.