Inaugural Edition

I. Stole my thunder

18th-century playwright John Dennis created a sound effect for thunder in one of his plays—unfortunately the play itself bombed harder than a summer storm. Weeks later, he sat in the audience of someone else’s production and, to his horror, heard his thunder effect being used. Furious, he stood and shouted, “They stole my thunder!”—and just like that, he coined a phrase that lasted longer than his play or career ever would.

II. Heard it through the grapevine

During the American Civil War, telegraph lines were sometimes strung haphazardly, resembling grapevines, leading to the term "grapevine telegraph." Messages sent this way were often unreliable, fueling the association with rumors. The phrase became widely popular after Motown artist Marvin Gaye’s 1968 hit "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." Think of grapevine as the more mature cousin of a little birdie told me—and a distant relative of spilling the tea.

III. Between you, me, and the lamppost

Originates back to 18th century Britain, used when someone wants to say something privately, in confidence, and often times slightly scandalous. For those of you looking to add a little English to it, try: "between me, you and the window washer".

Reply if you’ve got a great expression — we’re all ears.