Phrases borrowed from melodies

What is “all that jazz”, anyway? Discover the meaning of 10 music phrases

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Nobody can go through life without a little music. It is so imprinted in our brain, that we even mention music even when it’s not the topic of conversation. Where do you think the expression "strikes a chord" comes from? Music of course! Just like that, there are dozens of expressions based on the musical industry or that are directly taken from iconic songs, that is, songs that we all know and love! So, in this article, we’ve gathered 10 of these everyday expressions and gone through their origins and meanings! Are you ready? Let’s hit it!

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Picture a pipe organ, they are pretty common in churches and places alike. Do you know how they work? In short, a pipe organ works thanks to pressurized air flowing through the pipes. Which pipes make a sound is the choice of the player, of course. Well, when an organist pulls out all the stops, all the pipes sing together, at their maximum volume. Can you see where we are going with this?

In everyday language, if someone pulls all the stops, that means they are giving their all, making their best effort. A metaphor for the organ pipe filling a room with this unique sound, this phrase screams "Go big, or go home!"

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Have you ever been in a heated discussion with someone for hours only to find out you were practically saying the same things with different words? We’re sorry to tell you, but you’ve just spent hours preaching to the choir.

This expression naturally comes not only from the music field but from the musical moment every church has: There’s a presentation of a choir and all the people in the church preach to it.

In our everyday language, doing this means trying to convince someone of something they had already agreed on from the beginning! Kind of a pointless argument, and a waste of time!

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Now, there’s a similar scenario in which you spent hours saying the same thing over and over again, do you know what we mean? Well, in that case, you know what it means to sound like a broken record.

This expression comes from vinyl records that get stuck on a scratch and endlessly replay the same sound. Once is enough, twice is plainly annoying.

In a humorous context, it can be fun. But it can quickly go downwards because who wants to keep repeating the same thing when nobody seems to listen?

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In the old days, whenever something important happened to the true VIPs, like a king or other members of royalty, there was a herald who blew a trumpet before announcing big news. In modern times, this doesn’t happen anymore, but you could blow your own trumpet. Can you imagine what that means?

"Blowing your own trumpet" means bragging about your achievements. In short, you’re your own herald. While it’s okay to celebrate your wins, there’s an art to doing it gracefully. Nobody likes a constant bragger, but a little self-promotion is healthy and necessary. You know, balance is the key to a good tune!

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Remember when we said nobody could go through life without a little music? We’re talking about those songs that transport each of us to a happy, quiet, relaxing place in our minds, can you think of that song? Well, now think of how you feel when you receive good news. Isn’t that just like music to your ears?

In short, this phrase refers to the joy one feels when receiving good ones as a parallelism with the feeling we get with certain songs, which is of course unique and subjective.

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Have you ever caught yourself doing a total 180 on something? That’s what it means to "change your tune." Picture a musician in the middle of a performance suddenly switching up the melody. That’s a bold move, right? We’re not saying it’s good or bad, it’s just bold!

This phrase is all about shifting your attitude, like going from grumpy to chill or from critical to downright supportive. Let’s be real: life’s too short to stick to the wrong vibe. Flexibility can be a superpower, so don’t hesitate to remix your outlook when the situation calls for it. New day, new tune!

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You’re watching the saddest movie in the world and it doesn’t do anything for you. Now, you may be watching the silliest commercial on TV, and your heart scrunches and you start feeling nostalgic and melancholic. You know that moment when something just hits differently? That’s what we mean when we say "It strikes a chord."

Just like music can stir up all our feelings, certain words, stories, or ideas can really resonate with us. Maybe it’s a heartfelt memory or a truth that speaks right to your soul, they are unique to each of us. So when you feel those emotional vibes, let them play on.

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Harps make some seriously angelic music, but "harping on" about something? Not so heavenly to be honest. Now, what does it mean? It’s used when someone keeps repeating the same point or nagging about an issue to the point of exhaustion.

We’ve all been there, either doing it or dealing with it, and let’s face it, it’s not exactly fun for anyone. Nobody wants to be the human equivalent of a broken record, right? And you guessed it right; they are synonyms of the phrase above. If there are two phrases about this, it is because nobody wants to hear the same thing a thousand times!

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The origins of this phrase are not completely certain, but the musical "Chicago" definitely made its popularity skyrocket. Why? The song "All That Jazz" opens the musical and it’s as catchy as versatile.

Now, as for the phrase, it means "all the extras" or something like "everything that goes with it." It is kind of saying "etcetera" in a funny, musical way!

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No one loves being second fiddle, but sometimes, that’s exactly where the magic happens. This saying comes from orchestras, where the first violin leads while the second provides support. Sure, being in the spotlight is great, but harmony depends on teamwork and we all need a little support from time to time.

Think of all the behind-the-scenes roles that make big moments shine, without them, the whole thing falls apart. Life is pretty much the same, it’s not always about being front and center. When you’re playing second fiddle, you’re still a crucial part of the melody.

PASS THE FISH SAUCE

Go Beyond Mayonnaise, Ketchup & Mustard: 10 Condiments To Spice It Up!

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Sure, there is nothing wrong with good old mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. But those classic flavors would be even more appreciated if given a rest for a while. And, in the meantime, here are ten condiments from all over the world that have been waiting on the benches for their day on the spotlight on your diner table. Did you ever hear about oyster sauce? Or lingonberry jam? Take a quick look and see if any of these flavor enhancers tempt you!

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Let us start this list with a sauce that is served throughout the Balkan nations as a relish or a side dish. The so-called "Serbian Salsa", ajvar is a condiment made principally from sweet bell peppers and eggplants.

The relish became a popular side dish throughout Yugoslavia after World War II and is made of roasted peppers. Ajvar can be consumed as a bread spread or as a side dish. Ajvar has a few variations. One variation contains tomato and eggplant, and another green bell peppers and oregano.

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Hoisin sauce gives a tangy glaze to any dish. Essentially a Chinese barbecue sauce, this condiment lies at the intersection of brown sauce and hot sauce. Peking ducks are almost always dressed with hoisin sauce.

This is a thick, fragrant sauce commonly used as a glaze for meat, an addition to stir fry, or as a dipping sauce. It is dark-colored, sweet, and salty. Although regional variants exist, hoisin sauce usually includes soybeans, fennel, red chili peppers, and garlic.

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A Korean sauce, gochujang is a savory and spicy hot pepper paste that gives many dishes from its country of origin their unique taste. It is made from chili, fermented soybeans, sticky rice, and salt, it’s mostly combined with other condiments when used.

Traditionally, it would be naturally fermented over years in ceramic vessels on an elevated stone platform in the backyard but these days it is prepared in a more industrial environment.

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As the name implies, fish sauce is a liquid condiment made from fish. Its pungent smell may come as a shock to the first-time user but it is a flavor one gets used to. It helps enhance the taste of the ingredients it touches.

It is mixed with sugar, chili, lime juice, and garlic, and due to its ability to add a savory umami flavor to dishes, it has been embraced globally by chefs and home cooks. It can be used as a seasoning during or after cooking and as a base in dipping sauces.

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A familiar name to many, chutney is made of fruit or vegetable marinated in vinegar, spices, and sugar, chutneys can be sweet, savory, or spicy. Chutneys are made in a wide variety of forms, such as a tomato relish, a ground peanut garnish, yogurt, or curd, cucumber, spicy coconut, spicy onion, or mint dipping sauce.

Vinegar was added to the recipe for English-style chutney that traditionally aims to give a long shelf life so that autumn fruit can be preserved for use throughout the year or to be sold as a commercial product. In Western cuisine, chutney is often eaten with hard cheese or with cold meats.

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Miso is a byproduct of soy sauce, but it has a life of its own. Apart from being used to make soup, the paste can be served directly as a topping on rice.

High in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals, it is used for sauces and spreads, pickling vegetables, fish, or meats. Different varieties of miso have been described as salty, sweet, earthy, fruity, and savory.

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Another familiar name on the list, aioli begins with a ground garlic paste before whipping in egg yolk, olive oil, and mustard. The emulsion is sometimes seasoned with lemon juice, saffron, or chili. It is a perfect dip for seafood, veggie crisps, or french fries.

The names mean "garlic and oil" in Catalan and Provençal. It is found in the cuisines of the Mediterranean coasts of Spain and France.Some versions of the sauce are closer to a garlic mayonnaise, incorporating egg yolks and lemon juice, whereas other versions lack egg yolk and contain more garlic.

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Perhaps it is more than "just" a condiment, as it also has steamed, fried sausage, usually pork, typically cut into bite-sized chunks. But in this case, we are highlighting the curry ketchup that goes with it.

Currywurst sauce is based on spiced ketchup or tomato paste topped with curry powder, or a ready-made ketchup seasoned with curry and other spices. The dish is often served with french fries.

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As exotic as the name sounds, it is not a rare condiment. Oyster sauce is a viscous dark brown condiment thickened with corn starch, made from oyster extracts, sugar, salt, and water.

Oyster sauce is saltier and is used more often in everyday cooking than hoisin sauce. It’s as suitable for marinating a steak at home as it is for dressing boiled choi sum.

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Lingonberries grow on a short evergreen shrub in the Arctic tundra throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Eurasia to North America. And, in Sweden, these little berries are used to make delicious jam that is used as a condiment for meat courses, such as meatballs, beef stew, or fried herring.

Traditional dishes such as potato pancakes, spinach pancakes, and black pudding are commonly combined with lingonberries. The jam can also be paired with oatmeal porridge, mashed potatoes, and some desserts.