Why do we say "the whole kit and caboodle"? | | Some English words have pretty limited use. Take, for instance, "caboodle," which exists as part of the phrase "the whole kit and caboodle." Here's what it means and why this unusual phrase exists. | |  | Bennett Kleinman |
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| |  | | M uch like "peanut butter and jelly" or "do's and don'ts," some English words are forever intertwined. These paired phrases are called "binomial expressions" — they consist of two terms, often joined by "and" or "or," and the order of the terms is almost always fixed. Think of "black and white," "more or less," or "safe and sound." Those classic binomial expressions use familiar words, but the phrase "kit and caboodle" — meaning "a number of things considered as a unit" — spotlights a word that is almost exclusively used as a part of this expression.
Let's talk about each individual component. According to Merriam-Webster, "kit" has a wide array of meanings, all of which largely refer to a collection or set of individual components (e.g., tools, parts). "Caboodle" has a very similar definition, meaning "all the things of a group." Essentially, the terms are synonyms and now exist as two similar parts of one common phrase. |
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Emoji Decoded | |  | | Pear | | | Meaning: Displays a green pear fruit, but is often used metaphorically to describe a curvy body shape with fuller hips and thighs.
Evolution: The Pear was included in Emoji 1.0 with the Apple, Banana, Lemon, and Grapes emojis, but this emoji has taken on new meaning in body-positive conversations. The term "pear-shaped" as a body type has been reclaimed as a celebration of curves.
Usage: [Caption on an outfit of the day post:] #OOTD Styling tips for my fellow pear girlies 🍐👗 |
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| | Pear | | | Meaning: Displays a green pear fruit, but is often used metaphorically to describe a curvy body shape with fuller hips and thighs.
Evolution: The Pear was included in Emoji 1.0 with the Apple, Banana, Lemon, and Grapes emojis, but this emoji has taken on new meaning in body-positive conversations. The term "pear-shaped" as a body type has been reclaimed as a celebration of curves.
Usage: [Caption on an outfit of the day post:] #OOTD Styling tips for my fellow pear girlies 🍐👗 |
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Have you read? | |  | | The Correspondent | | | | There's something comforting about a handwritten letter. Sybil has a daily routine of writing letters — sometimes to friends and family, but sometimes to strangers. This novel is told through the correspondence she writes and receives, slowly revealing details about Sybil's life and the letters she never sends. This book could be an inspiration to anyone who hoards pretty stationery but can't quite bring themselves to use it. | | | | Samantha Abernethy, Word Smarts Writer | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| | The Correspondent | | | | There's something comforting about a handwritten letter. Sybil has a daily routine of writing letters — sometimes to friends and family, but sometimes to strangers. This novel is told through the correspondence she writes and receives, slowly revealing details about Sybil's life and the letters she never sends. This book could be an inspiration to anyone who hoards pretty stationery but can't quite bring themselves to use it. | | | | Samantha Abernethy, Word Smarts Writer | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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