When it comes to the phrase "everything but the kitchen sink," it means including or involving absolutely everything. This saying is often used to describe a situation or a collection that contains an overwhelming amount of different things. It is believed that this phrase originated during World War II when soldiers were being deployed and instructed to pack everything they could possibly need, except for the kitchen sink. Today, this saying is commonly used in a lighthearted manner to describe an excessive amount of items or tasks. For example, you may hear someone say, "She packed everything but the kitchen sink for her trip to the beach" or "I have so much work to do, it feels like I have the whole kitchen sink on my plate." So next time you see someone carrying an absurd amount of things with them, you can playfully use this saying to describe their situation.1. "Everything but the kitchen sink"
This phrase is often used to mean the entirety of something, the entire thing or the whole affair. It is believed to have originated from the Irish phrase "sio-bhing" meaning "all of it" or "the whole lot." Over time, this phrase evolved into "shebang" and has been used in American English since the mid-1800s. Today, "the whole shebang" is commonly used in everyday conversations to describe a complete or comprehensive situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "I'm planning the whole shebang for my daughter's birthday party" or "He messed up the whole shebang by forgetting to submit the report on time." So the next time you want to emphasize the entirety of something, this phrase is a fun and colorful way to do so.2. "The whole shebang"
This phrase, which means the entirety of something, is believed to have originated in Mexico. It references the traditional Mexican dish of enchiladas, which is a tortilla filled with various ingredients and covered in a sauce. The word "enchilada" itself comes from the Spanish word "enchilar," meaning to season with chili pepper. Today, this phrase is commonly used in American English to describe a complete or all-encompassing situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "I want to know the whole enchilada before I make a decision" or "We're offering the whole enchilada for one low price." So next time you want to express that you want the full story or entirety of something, this phrase is a flavorful way to do so.3. "The whole enchilada"
This phrase is believed to have originated in Scotland and has been used in American English since the early 20th century. Its exact origin is unclear, but there are several theories. One theory is that it references the amount of fabric needed for a traditional Scottish kilt, which was nine yards. Another theory suggests that it originated from the length of ammunition belts used in World War II, which were also nine yards long. Today, this phrase is commonly used to mean the entire amount or extent of something. For example, you may hear someone say, "He gave me the whole nine yards about his vacation" or "I'm going to give this project the whole nine yards to make sure it's perfect." This phrase can also be used in a negative sense, such as "I don't want to deal with the whole nine yards of filing these documents."4. "The whole nine yards"
This phrase has been used in American English since the mid-1800s and is believed to have originated from the practice of sealing letters or packages with a ball of wax. It is used to mean the entirety of something, the whole deal or the whole situation. Today, this phrase is often used in a casual or informal manner to describe a complete or all-encompassing situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "Let's start from the beginning and go through the whole ball of wax" or "I'm not interested in the whole ball of wax, just give me the main points." This phrase can also be used in a negative context, such as "I don't want to get involved in the whole ball of wax."5. "The whole ball of wax"
This phrase is believed to have originated from Yiddish and has been used in American English since the mid-1900s. It refers to the Jewish holiday of Purim, during which the story of Esther is read from a scroll called a "megillah." It is used to mean the entire thing or the whole story. Today, this phrase is commonly used in a humorous or ironic manner to describe a complicated or lengthy situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "I don't want to hear the whole megillah, just tell me what happened" or "He gave me the whole megillah about his ex-girlfriend." This phrase can also be used to describe something that is excessive or over the top, such as "The whole megillah of planning this wedding has been exhausting."6. "The whole megillah"
This phrase is believed to have originated in the United States during the mid-19th century. The word "caboodle" itself is believed to come from the Dutch word "boedel," meaning property or possessions. It is used to mean the entire collection or the whole package. Today, this phrase is commonly used in a casual or informal manner to describe a complete or all-encompassing situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "I'm not interested in the whole caboodle, just give me the highlights" or "We're offering the whole caboodle for one low price." This phrase can also be used in a negative context, such as "I don't want to deal with the whole caboodle of organizing this event."7. "The whole caboodle"
This phrase is believed to have originated in the United States during the late 19th century. It references a game of pool, where all the balls are in play, and is used to mean the entirety of something or the whole affair. Today, this phrase is commonly used in a casual or informal manner to describe a complete or all-encompassing situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "I want to know the whole shooting match before I make a decision" or "We're offering the whole shooting match for one low price." This phrase can also be used to describe something that is excessive or over the top, such as "The whole shooting match of planning this party has been exhausting."8. "The whole shooting match"
This phrase is believed to have originated in the United States during the mid-1800s and references the idea of getting the best or most out of something. It is used to mean the entirety of something or to go all out. Today, this phrase is commonly used in a casual or informal manner to describe a complete or all-encompassing situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "I'm going to go the whole hog and buy the deluxe package" or "I want the whole hog when it comes to my birthday celebrations." This phrase can also be used to describe someone who is fully committed or dedicated to something, such as "He's really gone the whole hog with this project."9. "The whole hog"
This phrase combines two of the previous sayings on this list, "the whole kit" and "the whole caboodle." It is used to mean the entire collection or the whole deal. Today, this phrase is commonly used in a casual or informal manner to describe a complete or all-encompassing situation. For example, you may hear someone say, "I want the whole kit and caboodle when it comes to planning my wedding" or "She's giving me the whole kit and caboodle about her new job." This phrase can also be used in a negative context, such as "I don't want to deal with the whole kit and caboodle of organizing this event." In conclusion, these sayings may have different origins, but they all have one thing in common – they are used to describe the entirety of something. So whether you prefer "the whole shebang" or "the whole hog," there's no shortage of creative and colorful ways to express that you want the whole deal. Now, go impress your friends and family with your knowledge of these fun and quirky phrases!10. "The whole kit and caboodle"