doubting Thomas

A person who habitually questions every issue. The term alludes to Jesus’s disciple Thomas, who refused to believe in the resurrec- tion until he had solid evidence of it (recounted in the Book of John, 20:24–25). The term has been applied to similarly doubtful individuals ever since, although the exact wording dates only from the late 1800s. W. C. Wyckoff used it: “Doubting Thomases, who will only believe what they see, must wait awhile” (Harper’s Magazine, June 1883).

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double-edged sword

An argument, compliment, or other statement that cuts either way, that is, has a double meaning. “‘Your Delphic sword,’ the pan- ther then replied, ‘is double-edged and cuts on either side,’” wrote John Dry- den (The Hind and the Panther, 1686). See also LEFT-HANDED COMPLIMENT.

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dot the i’s and cross the t’s, to

To be precise and meticulous. The source of this expression, it is alleged, is the possibility of confusing these letters if they are carelessly penned, and presumably it began as an admoni- tion to schoolchildren and/or scribes. It was soon transferred to other affairs, and has been a cliché since the late nineteenth century.

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do the trick

Accomplish something, succeed. Dating from the early nineteenth century, this cliché uses “trick” in the sense of an accomplish- ment. For example, “Add some pepper to the sauce and that should do the trick.” The synonymous turn the trick, dating from the same period, is heard less often today. “A couple of college products turned the trick for the Whalers,” wrote a sports columnist (Springfield Daily News, April 22, 1976). To turn a trick, on the other hand, uses “trick” in the slangy sense of a prosti- tute’s customer and means to engage in a sexual act with such an individual. Also see THAT DOES IT.

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do the honors, to

To render courtesies to guests; to act as a host, mak- ing introductions, carving the turkey, and the like. This expression was being used by 1700. It appears in Alexander Pope’s Imitations of Horace (1737): “Then hire a Slave, or (if you will), a Lord, to do the Honours, and to give the Word.”

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do tell Is that really so?

This phrase, expressing either disbelief or sar- casm, has been around since the early nineteenth century. John Neal used it in The Down-Easters (1833), “George Middleton, hey?—do tell!—is that his name?”

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do someone proud, to

To make much of, to extend lavish hospitality. This turn of phrase dates from the nineteenth century. “You’ve done your- selves proud,” wrote Mark Twain in Innocents at Home (1872).

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