Rich language

What does "going Dutch" mean, and more importantly: why?

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For a lot of people, money is still a taboo topic, but the truth is that it comes up in everyday conversations all the time. For this reason, there's no shortage of money-related sayings, phrases, and idioms. You probably have heard someone talking about their "nest egg," or maybe there was a time when you had to "tighten your belt." If you want to learn the origins and meanings of these 10 fun expressions about money, read on!

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"I got my paycheck today, and it's already burning a hole in my pocket."

We could divide most people into two groups: On one side, those who know how to save, look for discounts, keep track of their finances correctly, and carefully plan every expense. On the other, the "wild ones," those who don't know what they've spent their money on or have a tendency to spend impulsively.

If you feel that money just disappears fast as soon as you get it, you may belong to the second group. In that case, there's a phrase that fits well in that context. When someone says that money "burns a hole in their pocket," they simply mean they can't wait to spend it. And let's be honest; there's nothing like bringing home that shirt you fell in love with at the store, right?

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"She will leave the company with a generous golden handshake at the end of the year."

For some people, talking about money without beating around the bush can be quite shocking, especially when large sums are involved. That's why language provides us with many metaphors and aphorisms, and one of them is the famous "golden handshake."

If you have been lucky enough to be part of one, you know what we're talking about. This expression emerged in the mid-20th century and became increasingly famous with the advancement of big business. In the corporate world, a "golden handshake" describes an agreement (the "handshake" part) between members of a company, through which one receives a large amount of money (the "golden" involved). It's often used to refer to big severance pay or retirement compensation.

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"After we bought the house, we had to tighten our belts for a period."

While it's true that many of us long for a slim waistline, when it comes to money, "tightening the belt" is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, this expression is used for talking about tough financial times, those moments when you need to cut back on expenses and make some adjustments, even if it means your pants end up a little looser.

It's believed that the idiom became popular in the US during the harsh 1930s due to the difficulties of the Great Depression.

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"They cut corners by hiring less staff to save money, which resulted in longer wait times."

While shortcuts can be helpful at times, wise people say that taking the longer path teaches us important lessons and leads to better outcomes.

The expression "cutting corners" emerged in the 19th century to express precisely that: Creating a straight path through corners to make the route shorter and faster. Over time, the phrase has expanded its use to more metaphorical forms and usually contains a negative undertone. You know, taking shortcuts can sometimes end up taking more time and effort.

In the world of finance, it's common to hear that a company decided to cut corners by making less effort or using cheaper materials with the intention of making quick money.

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"Thankfully, he had a nest egg to cover his expenses while he searched for a new job."

Did you know that there was a practice in which a fertilized egg was placed in a hen's nest to encourage it to lay more eggs? But what does this have to do with money?

The expression "nest egg" comes from that practice and refers to a small or moderate amount of money saved for future use. As old as the technique itself, the expression was already in use in the 17th century.

Unlike other phrases on this list that belong to the world of big corporations, this one is often related to personal or household finances. Have you got your nest egg set aside? We bet you do!

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"He didn't talk about his high salary so they wouldn't think he's on the gravy train."

Some people say that only hard-earned money is worthwhile. But here's an expression that indicates precisely the opposite.

When you obtain money easily, without much effort, it's said that you're on the "gravy train." This phrase originated in the United States in the early 20th century, specifically between the 1910s and 1920s, as popular slang among railroad workers. In this context, it was used to describe a run on which there was good pay and little work.

Over time, the idiom spread to other jobs and activities, and today, it's commonly heard in everyday conversation.

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"The tab is a little high. What do you think about going Dutch?"

Nothing like a good plan with friends! Whether it's a trip, a shopping spree, or dinner in a nice restaurant. And when the bill comes, many prefer to split it, so everyone chips in.

When it's time to split the bill at the end of the dinner, we say we're "going Dutch." It simply means that everyone pays for their part. The expression comes from the idea that Dutch people are often careful with money.

Next time your best friend offers to pick up the whole tab, you can relieve him or her by offering to go Dutch!

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"I would love to buy that car, but I don't want to break the bank."

Have you ever had to "break the bank"? We're not talking about committing a crime, but the common expression that refers to spending a large amount of money, often difficult to afford.

When we go overboard and what we have to pay is a bit more than we can afford, we say we've "broken the bank." Scholars believe that the idiom emerged between the 17th and 18th centuries but really took hold in the mid-19th century. It was used in the gambling world when someone won so much money that the casino (the house or the bank) couldn't pay out.

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"I'd love to go on that trip with you, but I'm saving for a rainy day."

Do you like rain, or do you prefer sunny days? Beyond our personal tastes, rainy days have always been viewed as "gloomy days," commonly associated with sadness or hardship.

When someone says they prefer to "save for a rainy day," they're talking about being careful with money, saving up for tough times when they'll really need those dollars.

Some theories suggest the phrase dates back to 16th-century agricultural societies in Europe. While a little rain was good for the fields, excessive rainfall could ruin the crops, leaving many people without enough food. In those years, similar sayings and proverbs related to the weather were present, and by the 18th century, "saving for a rainy day" was already seen in spoken and written English.

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"I had to fork over $400 to fix my roof."

Some expenses are fun, but others aren't so much. When we have to pay for something we'd rather not, we can say we have to "fork over" the cash. Used in informal contexts, to "fork over" simply means to give or hand over money, especially when it's reluctantly.

Initially, it was used to describe handing over all kinds of things, but over time, the meaning associated with money stuck. It's believed that this idiom arose in the 19th century, when "to fork" was used as slang to describe pocket-picking with two or three fingers, resembling the prongs of a fork.

Crack the code

Keep up with the government lingo! 10 acronyms and initialisms decoded!

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If you’ve ever felt like the government speaks its own secret language, don’t sweat it, because you’re not alone! From the VA to the CIA, all those acronyms and initialisms can leave anyone scratching their head. Today, we’re here to decode some government abbreviations you might come across to keep you informed and up to date. So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s take a lighthearted look at what they really mean!

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Moving houses is a tedious task, but imagine how difficult it is if that house is overseas! In such cases, certain organizations help smooth the transition. One of them is the Association of American Foreign Service Women, a supportive community for the families of U.S. diplomats.

Founded in 1960, its primary goal was to help spouses and families adjust to life abroad. Moving to a new country isn’t always easy, so AAFSW offers everything from relocation tips to social events. Over the years, it has expanded to include career assistance and scholarships for family members. Ultimately, it’s all about ensuring diplomatic families feel connected, no matter how far from home they are.

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This simple three-letter initialism actually refers to more than one position. The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) is one of the top dogs at the Department of Justice. There are several AAGs, each overseeing a specific area, such as criminal law or civil rights.

Think of them as legal specialists with extensive experience, advising on major cases and policies. This role has existed since the late 1800s, ensuring the Justice Department operates smoothly.

Today, AAGs help handle some of the country’s most important legal decisions, so it’s certainly not a desk job! It’s a challenging position but essential for maintaining justice in the U.S.

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We’ve seen enough movies to know what the CIA is, right? But in case you’re not a film lover, CIA stands for the Central Intelligence Agency—arguably one of the most well-known acronyms out there, and for good reason.

Founded in 1947, the CIA is responsible for gathering intelligence (a euphemism for "information," of course) from around the world. It’s not gossip they’re after—their work helps protect national security by monitoring potential threats.

While the CIA might sound like something out of a spy movie, in reality, it’s all about analyzing data and passing along critical information. Sure, there are some undercover operations, but much of the work happens quietly behind the scenes.

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When agencies like the CIA or the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) gather intelligence and potential threats become real, all kinds of people come into play—witnesses, for example. But the government needs to protect them!

The Emergency Witness Assistance Program (EWAP) provides support to witnesses involved in serious federal cases. If someone’s safety is at risk because they’re testifying, EWAP steps in to protect them. And that protection can range from temporary housing to financial assistance. In short, the program ensures witnesses are safe and cared for.

EWAP was established in the 1970s when witnesses in high-profile cases needed protection from dangerous criminals. Think about it—without EWAP, some witnesses might be too afraid to come forward, which could cause a case to fall apart. It’s vital work!

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Thanks to social media, news spreads rapidly, giving us access to a vast amount of information every day. But did you know you can also access government information?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures that government records are accessible to everyday citizens. Passed in 1966, FOIA allows anyone to request government documents.

This isn’t just about curiosity—it’s a way to hold the government accountable and ensure transparency in its actions. While some requests take time or have limitations, FOIA remains a powerful tool for keeping things above board.

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This one sounds more like a word than an acronym! But LEGAT is actually short for Legal Attaché, the FBI’s representative stationed in embassies around the world.

Their job? To collaborate with foreign governments on solving international crimes. Whether it’s cyberattacks or terrorism, LEGATs build relationships with law enforcement agencies abroad to combat global threats.

The LEGAT program was established after World War II, when international cooperation became more critical than ever. Today, these officials help share intelligence and keep criminal investigations moving across borders. It’s the FBI’s way of ensuring that no one slips through the cracks—no matter where they are in the world.

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Originally called the General Accounting Office, this agency is now known as the Government Accountability Office. Different names, same initials—the GAO keeps a close watch on how the government spends money. Big deal, right?

Created in 1921, the GAO’s job is to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. It audits federal programs, identifies waste, and recommends improvements. If something doesn’t add up in government spending, the GAO is in charge of digging into it.

Their work helps Congress figure out where the money is going and how it can be better used. Microeconomics and macroeconomics have one thing in common: everyone needs someone to keep an eye on their money—don’t you think?

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The Department of Justice is one of the largest agencies in the U.S. government. As such, you can imagine the amount of work happening behind the scenes, right? That’s where the Justice Management Division (JMD) comes in—it’s the team that handles all the unseen operations at the DOJ.

From managing budgets to ensuring that computers function properly, JMD keeps the entire department running. Established in the early 1900s to oversee administration, it has been quietly ensuring efficiency ever since. While lawyers and investigators may get the spotlight, JMD is the unsung hero that provides them with the tools they need.

Without them, the Department of Justice would be like a car without gas—they keep everything moving forward!

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Did you know there’s one place where all federal laws are collected? That place is the United States Code (USC). In short, the USC is the official compilation of all federal laws in the country.

It organizes everything into 54 categories, making it easier to find specific laws on topics ranging from agriculture to veterans’ benefits. It may seem straightforward, but it’s anything but simple.

First published in 1926, the USC brings order to the chaos of legal documents. Instead of sifting through mountains of paperwork, you can look up laws in a structured, organized system. You may not use it often, but it’s a critical reference for lawmakers and lawyers alike, constantly updated to reflect new legislation. That’s right—we’ve got our own legal guidebook!

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Few things deserve more respect than our veterans, and the government must have thought the same when it created the VA.

VA stands for Veterans Affairs, a department dedicated to providing services and support to U.S. military veterans. Established in 1930, it offers healthcare, education, and financial benefits to those who have served our country. From medical care to home loans, the VA helps veterans transition back to civilian life.

With one of the largest healthcare systems in the country, the VA ensures that veterans receive the care they need and deserve. Whether it’s addressing physical injuries or mental health challenges, the VA is there to support those who have sacrificed for our nation. It’s one way we honor their service!