Where words and phrases come from is a fascinating subject, full of folklore and historical lessons (continuing phrases beginning with G)

(Give the) thumbs up/down - approve (or disapprove)

Origin - The spectators at ancient Roman gladiatorial contests used to be called upon to determine whether or not a beaten gladiator should be killed. If their response was favourable, they kept their thumbs clenched in their fists; if not, they turned their thumbs out. This is not what the modern expression says, but it appears to be the origin.

Gives one the willies - arouses nervousness, uneasiness

Origin - It has been suggested that the word willies comes from 'willow tree', of which the word willy is an old form. The willow has long been a symbol of grief and mourning. There are many references to it in English literature. The current sense, however, is not one of grief but of apprehension or nervousness.

Go AWOL - take leave without permission

Origin - An acronym for absent without leave. During WWI, it was used to describe a soldier who was not present for roll-call but was not yet classified as a deserter. At this time, the four letters were pronounced individually but later , the pronunciation 'aywol' became current.

Go back to the drawing-board - start planning all over again

Origin - The phrase derives from the caption to a newsopaper cartoon during World War II, showing a newly invented aircraft exploding while still on the ground. Its designer, apparently unmoved by such spectacular disaster, was saying: 'Ah well, back to the old drawing-board'.

Go berserk - become frenzied

Origin - A berserk(er) was a Norse warrior renowned for the fury of his fighting. His name came from an Icelandic word signifying the bear-skin (bear-sark) or coat he wore; he was reputed to fight without armour.

Go by the board - be discarded, lost, abandoned or ignored

Origin - Board was a nautical term for the side of a ship. Anything that went 'by the board', i.e. overboard, was therefore lost or liable to be.

Go Dutch - pay one's own expenses on a date or outing.

Origin - This phrase is" also known as a "Dutch treat" and implies an informal agreement for each person to pay for his or her own expenses during a planned date or outing. The decision to "go Dutch" is usually made in advance.

Go great guns - to be very successful

Origin - Military term for cannon mounted for firing was 'great guns', as distinct from hand-held small guns. Figuratively, a wind that blows great guns is violent and noisy, like cannon, and anything that is going great guns is enjoying a roaring success.

Go haywire - begin to function erratically: become seriously upset

Origin - Haywire is used for binding bales of hay. If bound tightly round a bale, the wire may whip back dangerously when it is cut to release the hay for use. It may also become entangled in the baling-machine during the actual process of baling