Learning English

When pigs fly, is an English idiom used to express that something is highly unlikely or will never happen. The origin of this phrase is a bit uncertain, but it's believed to have roots in Scottish folklore. The phrase likely evolved from the idea that pigs, being heavy animals, couldn't physically fly. So, saying "when pigs fly" was a way of saying something was impossible. Over time, it became a humorous and widely recognized expression for something that is very unlikely to occur. So, if someone says, "I'll believe it when pigs fly," they mean they find the idea extremely improbable or even impossible. Ejemplo: Sure, I'll start eating vegetables regularly when pigs fly! El modismo " cuando las ranas crien pelo " es una expresión popular en español que se utiliza para indicar algo que es extremadamente improbable o que nunca sucederá. La idea de las ranas criando pelo es algo que va en contra de la naturaleza y es considerado ...

The name " Puerta del So l" comes from way back in the medieval times. Originally, in the 15th century, this spot was one of the gates to get into Madrid when it was still surrounded by walls. The name "Sol" comes from an old symbol they used to put on the gate.     As the city grew and modernized, they tore down the walls and Puerta del Sol became a super important central square in Madrid, hosting historic events and being the starting point for all the main roads in Spain. Nowadays, Puerta del Sol is one of the most iconic and bustling spots in the city.     Another possible origin story for the name "Puerta del Sol" comes from the fact that it used to be the eastern gateway of the city, where the sun would rise. So, "Sol" in this context could be linked to the sun rising, which makes a lot of sense. It's like saying it's the "Sunrise Gate" in a way. This version is also tossed around in the mix of explanations!

The origin of the phrase "open secret" is believed to date back to the late 16th century. It combines "open," meaning visible or apparent, with "secret," denoting something concealed or not widely known. Here's an example sentence: "It's an open secret that the company is planning to expand its operations overseas, even though they haven't officially announced it yet." El modismo "secreto a voces" tiene sus raíces en el latín. La expresión original en latín era "secretum vocis", que se traduce como "secreto de palabra". Con el tiempo, esta frase evolucionó en el español y se convirtió en "secreto a voces". La expresión se utiliza para describir algo que es conocido por muchas personas, pero que no se menciona abiertamente o de manera oficial. Es como si fuera un secreto que se ha difundido entre la gente y ya no es tan confidencial. Por ejemplo, si en una comunidad todos saben ...

 "The last straw" is an expression in British English that is used to describe a situation where something small or seemingly insignificant becomes the final straw, meaning the situation that makes someone reach their limit and can't tolerate any more. This comes from the idea of adding straws to a bundle of hay until one more straw is what breaks the whole bundle. The earliest recorded use of a similar phrase was in Charles Dickens' novel "Dombey and Son" in 1848, where he wrote, " As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back ." This suggests that the concept behind the idiom was already well-established in English language and culture by the mid-19th century. So while we don't have a specific, pinpointed origin, it's safe to say that the concept of the final, decisive event or factor causing a person to reach their limit has been a part of English language and culture for a very long time. Examples: 1. After weeks of working non-s...