Spotlight on Students: Origins and Meanings of American Idioms

 This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to research and identify the origins and meanings of time of a specific American phrase that they selected. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.

 

Source: Google Images

By: Kayuuyor Okolo

Among the numerous phrases made available to us, the idiom that caught my attention is “fool’s gold.” It stood out to me because gold happens to be one of my favorite colors. Aside from that, I had pondered on what it meant. I sat down quietly trying to make a reasonable guess on what this phrase could possibly mean. I did not think it was a smart idea for a fool to be in possession of something as precious as gold.

I gave in to my curiosity and decided to conduct research. I found out that it had an in-depth explanation for the reason it had been called that name. Further research revealed that it had two aspects to it: first, it is an idiomatic expression and one of the earth’s most abundant sulfide compounds. In addition to what has been said, the term “Fool’s gold also known as pyrite had been originally derived from what many prospectors had mistaken to be gold due to its shiny metallic luster and yellow coloring” (Cochrane, 2023). Pyrite is also the Greek name for fire because it can create sparks for starting a fire when struck with a metal or stone and even if it had been around for 2.9 billion years. It was first discovered by Dr. Jonathan Jacobo in 1432. The term reflects deceit, that is, how easily people can be deceived into thinking they have found gold when they actually have pyrite.

The idiomatic phrase became existent and popularized in the 19th century. It was first used to describe a mineral that looked like gold but is nearly worthless. In recent times, it has been adopted by the investment industry and is often used to describe investments that seemed promising and flashy but are ultimately worthless.

Based on my research, the meaning did not necessarily change; it just became popularized and adopted by the investment industry. They have a whole theory on “Fool’s gold”, and this concept describes cryptocurrencies that lose their values easily. According to Chen,” The name seemed particularly fitting to critics who saw cryptocurrencies as false currencies, just as fool's gold is false gold” (Chen, 2022).

 

WORKS CITED

Gasdia-Cochrane, Marlene. “Pyrite: The Real Story behind ‘Fool’s Gold.’” Advancing Mining, 6 Feb. 2023, www.thermofisher.com/blog/mining/pyrite-the-real-story-behind-fools-gold/#:~:text=Pyrite%20is%20called%20%E2%80%9CFool’s%20Gold,a%20piece%20of%20unglazed%20porcelain.

“10 Facts about Pyrite ‘Fools Gold.’” TheGlobalStone, Elena Patrova, 4 Apr. 2018, theglobalstone.com/blogs/news/10-facts-about-pyrite-fools-gold#:~:text=1%20Pyrite%20was%20discovered%20by,a%20means%20of%20producing%20fire.

Chen, James. “Fool’s Gold: Meaning, Avoiding Bad Investments, Grammar.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 26 Apr. 2022, www.investopedia.com/terms/f/foolsgold.asp#:~:text=Fool’s%20gold%20was%20often%20found,and%20lack%20of%20industrial%20utility.

 

Source: English Grammar

 

By: Cierra Hein

The American phrase that I chose is “in the pink.” The reason why I chose this phrase is because it is my favorite color. The phrase "in the pink" dates back to the 1500s when a version of the saying appeared in Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet.  It is said in part of one of the scenes with the line, “the very pink of courtesy.” In the 1500s it was used differently than it is now; back then it meant a remarkable example. It was also used to express exceptional fashion peaks. "In the pink" used now is an expression that expresses excellent health, fitness, and happiness. It can also mean that the finances in a company or economy are doing really well.  Before I did research on this phrase, I thought that the American phrase "in the pink" meant something similar to the phrases “in the clear” or “in the good.” I could just be saying that because I like the color pink, so for me the color means all things good and clear. Now that I have done more research on the phrase, I can say that I was fairly close to the correct definition. The American phrase "in the pink" has changed from the 15^th century to the 21st century because people have noticed the rosy complexion in people's face when they are healthy and happy. I would say that the meaning of the phrase "in the pink" says that our culture has gotten more relaxed in English statements or phrases. We have taken something that meant remarkable examples or fashion peaks to the literal color of our skin when people are happy or healthy.

 

Works Cited:

Collins Online Dictionary | Definitions, Thesaurus and Translations, www.collinsdictionary.com/us/. Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.

Kenton, Will. “In the Pink: Meaning of the Slang Investing Term.” Investopedia, Investopedia, www.investopedia.com/terms/i/inthepink.asp. Accessed 25 Sept. 2024.

Staying in the Pink of Health | Mount Alvernia Hospital Singapore, mtalvernia.sg/education/staying-in-the-pink-of-health/. Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.