Seasonal Idioms
Many people determine that once the holidays are over, they will turn over a new one of these
What is leaf? When people want to turn over a new leaf, they want to give themselves a fresh start or change their ways—maybe break a habit or form a new one.
Casablanca is set in this country.
What is Morocco? While the movie is set in Casablanca, a city in Morocco, it was filmed mostly on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, using leftover sets from The Desert Song and Now Voyager.
This is the day we celebrate National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
What is December 7? On this day, we remember the 2,403 people who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
You’ll find these roasting on street corners in New York City in December.
What are chestnuts? You can smell them all the way down the street. You might also hear Louis Armstrong singing “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).”
This country’s flag has a white cross on a red background
What is Switzerland? The flag is similar to the flag of the Holy Roman Empire. There is no particular symbolism attributed to the design of the flag.
Good things come in this sized package.
What is small? Many think this phrase refers to packages holding expensive jewelry or watches.
Three Coins in the Fountain was filmed on location in this country.
What is Italy? The Trevi Fountain is in Rome, and visitors often make a wish while tossing a coin into it. Other movies filmed on location that include the Trevi Fountain include Roman Holiday and La Dolce Vita.
On December 17, we celebrate these brothers of aviation from Kitty Hawk.
Who are the Wright Brothers? Orville was the first brother in flight only because Wilbur lost the coin toss.
These are a hybrid of mandarins and sweet oranges and sometimes are referred to by their brand names, including Halos, Cuties, and Sweeties.
What are clementines? They are sometimes confused with tangerines because they both belong to the mandarin family and are easy to peel, but they are not the same fruit.
Also called an M-type star, this is the more common name of the smallest type of hydrogen-burning star in the known universe.
What is red dwarf star? It is also the most numerous type of star. In fact, it is believed that three-fourths of the Milky Way is made up of red dwarfs.
When snow is on the ground on Christmas Day, we say it’s this kind of a Christmas.
What is white? Charles Dickens introduced the idea of a white Christmas in England long before Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby popularized the phrase in North America
Notting Hill is set in this country
What is England? Julia Roberts plays an actress who is filming on location in London. The movie was filmed in locations throughout London, including Notting Hill.
This December birthstone is associated with Indigenous Americans and Southwestern jewelry
What is turquoise? The most valuable turquoise is mined in the American Southwest and Iran. The purest turquoise is Golden Hills turquoise, and it comes from Kazakhstan.
This native North American berry is grown in bogs and is readily available at the grocery store in December.
What is cranberry? Cranberries are staples at many holiday tables
The 10 highest mountains in the United States are all in this state.
What is Alaska? The highest is Denali, which was once called Mount McKinley.
During the holidays, when we confront people lacking holiday spirit, we might say, “Don’t be a (this person).”
What is a Scrooge? “Don’t be a Scrooge” could also be said to those who are behaving in a miserly way.
The TV series Northern Exposure is set in this U.S. state.
The series is set in Cicely, Alaska, which claims a population of 213, but it was filmed in the little town of Roslyn, Washington. Every year, the town holds a Moosefest in honor of Northern Exposure.
December in the northern hemisphere is the meteorological equivalent of this month in the southern hemisphere.
What is June? The southern hemisphere’s summer months occur during the northern hemisphere’s winter months. Thus, the southern hemisphere celebrates the holidays during the first month of summer.
This white, cruciferous vegetable is in season year-round but best in fall and winter.
What is cauliflower? The longer it cooks, the sweeter it is.
This mythical creature is Scotland’s official national animal.
What is the unicorn? In the mid-1500s, the unicorn was introduced on the royal coat of arms. The country’s affinity for the unicorn is firmly established, and it celebrates National Unicorn Day on April 9 each year.
When you give an anonymous gift, you might be known as this kind of Santa
What is secret? The concept of Secret Santa may have begun in Scandinavia, where people would leave gifts on someone’s doorstep, knock on the door, and then run away before they were spotted.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was filmed in this country.
What is India? In the film, a group of retirees travel from London to India, hoping to call a luxurious hotel their retirement home. Instead, they find a ramshackle hotel run by a young man with more enthusiasm than business sense.
The shortest day in 2023 occurs on this day.
What is December 21? It always occurs on December 21 or 22. The days gradually start to grow longer after the winter solstice.
These vegetables look like white carrots.
British colonists brought parsnips to the New World. They have escaped gardens and now grow wild.
In a national tragedy in 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated in this southern state.
What is Texas? The president was on a speaking tour at the time, promoting themes of natural conservation, education, and world peace.