America's Secret Slang
The history of America is buried in a surprising place—the unique phrases we use every day. What’s the story behind our most popular slang phrases, from “dyed in the wool” and “long in the tooth” to “three sheets to the wind” and “dead as a doornail?” Even words as simple as “hello” and “goodbye” contain secret messages—powerful hidden records of the American story.
- 2013-2014
- 2 seasons
- History Channel
- Documentary
- TV-PG
The history of America is buried in a surprising place—the unique phrases we use every day. What’s the story behind our most popular slang phrases, from “dyed in the wool” and “long in the tooth” to “three sheets to the wind” and “dead as a doornail?” Even words as simple as “hello” and “goodbye” contain secret messages—powerful hidden records of the American story.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2013
Episode 1
Guns, Booze and Politics
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 23 mins
Politics is full of odd phrases like "pork barrel projects," "slush funds," and "lame ducks" -- all of which had practical origins and morphed to mean what they do today.
Episode 2
Them's Fighting Words
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 23 mins
Have you ever wondered why someone who can't get it together is called a "basket case"? Or where the term "Yankee" came from? And why do we say someone "bought the farm" when they die?
Episode 3
Y'all Speak Country
Sun, Apr 21, 2013 23 mins
The American South has given us words like "y'all" and "rednecks" as well as dozens of colorful phrases like "fly off the handle," "having an axe to grind," and "barking up the wrong tree.
Episode 4
West Word, Ho!
Sun, Apr 28, 2013 23 mins
Expressions from "riffraff" to "betting your bottom dollar", "passing the buck," "acid test" and even "heard it through the grapevine" all come from America's frontier days. But have you ever wondered why these phrases were first used?
Episode 5
Coming to America
Sun, May 5, 2013 23 mins
Ever wonder why American cowboys say "'git along little doggies" when they're talking about herding cattle? Or why a losing wrestler "cries uncle?" And why do we say "ouch" when we stub a toe?
Episode 6
Talking Turkey
Sun, May 12, 2013 23 mins
Americans have always loved to eat and expressions relating to food--from New York's "big apple" to "wake up and smell the coffee" --pepper our everyday speech. But where did they all come from?
