词汇 | on the level |
词源 | on the level. The phrases upon or on the level and by or on the square probably originated with the Freemasons in the 14th century. Freemasons, before they accepted honorary members several centuries later, were exclusively a class of skilled work- ers in stone who traveled from place to place wherever build- ings were being erected. From their use of the square, which drew a straight line and made you go straight, and their use of the level, which made sure a surface was true or even, came these expressions meaning honestly, truthfully, and on the up-and-up. |
随便看 |
英语词源词典收录了13259条英语词源词条,基本涵盖了全部常用英语词汇的起源、历史,是研究英语词汇或通过词源学英语的必备工具。