Span & Duration

The idiom "bankers' hours" originated in the early 20th century in the United States. It reflects the typical working hours of banks during that time, which were shorter compared to other businesses. Over time, "bankers' hours" expanded beyond its literal meaning and started being used more broadly to refer to any business or organization with a shortened or restricted work schedule.

The idiom "in the long run" has an origin that can be traced back to the mid-19th century. It draws on the metaphorical concept of a race or journey, where the focus is on the overall outcome or result after a significant period of time or distance covered. This expression is commonly used in discussions related to investments, business planning, personal relationships, health habits, and societal changes.

The origin of the idiom "till the cows come home" can be traced back to rural and agricultural settings. In farming communities, cows are typically brought back to the barn or milking area at the end of the day. The phrase likely originated from the observation that cows often take their time to return home, moving slowly or grazing along the way. As a result, the expression came to represent a prolonged or indefinite period of time. It has been used in literature and everyday language for centuries to convey the idea of a lengthy or seemingly endless duration.

The idiom "come and go" is commonly used in English, and its origin is not connected to a specific historical event or cultural background. It simply combines the words "come" and "go," which have always been used to express movement and changes in location. Over time, people started using the phrase to describe how things or people appear and then leave, showing that they are not permanent. It's a widely used expression that reflects how things are not always the same and can change or disappear.

The idiom "many moons ago" is believed to have originated from Native American or Indigenous cultures. It draws on the cultural significance of the moon's cycles and the perception of time as marked by lunar phases. Over time, it became a poetic way of expressing a distant past. It is often used in storytelling or when discussing historical events or personal experiences.

The idiom "along the line" likely originated in the United States during the early 20th century. Though it is not known exactly where it came from, people commonly use it in casual conversations to talk about a specific moment in time or a stage in a process where something happened or changed. This phrase is typically used when one is not sure about the exact when or where of a particular event or change.

The idiom "month of Sundays" gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century and later on spread to other English-speaking regions. Its origin lies in the combination of the words "month" and "Sundays," with "month" representing a long period of time and "Sundays" symbolizing rest or leisure. It is often used when talking about situations where time feels like it's going very slowly, like waiting for something or doing a boring.

The idiom "since time immemorial" originated in legal and historical contexts. It was used in English common law to describe a period that goes back so far that it happened before legal rights were established and refers to customs, practices, or rights that were believed to have existed since a time before written records or memory. It is often used when talking about the customs, traditions, rituals, and practices of ancient cultures or societies that have been passed down for a very long time. It emphasizes the idea that these cultural elements have been around since ancient times and have stood the test of time.