{"id":7465,"date":"2024-03-26T01:39:51","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T01:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=7465"},"modified":"2024-03-29T19:36:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T19:36:26","slug":"english-expressions-that-come-from-comics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/","title":{"rendered":"English Expressions That Come from Comics"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Brainiac\" >Brainiac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Goon\" >Goon<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Kryptonite\" >Kryptonite<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Alter_ego\" >Alter ego<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Security_blanket\" >Security blanket<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Shazam\" >Shazam<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Back_to_the_drawing_board\" >Back to the drawing board<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Keeping_up_with_the_Joneses\" >Keeping up with the Joneses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Newlywed\" >Newlywed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Worrywart\" >Worrywart<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-expressions-that-come-from-comics\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>In recent years, some of the biggest movies and television shows have been based on characters from comics, and comic stories have become a major part of pop culture. However, even before this boom, comics have had a <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/the-chase-is-on-what-is-sadie-hawkins-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">big influence<\/a> on American society and on the English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will introduce common words and expressions that even native speakers may not realize originally came from comic books or from comic strips published in daily newspapers. How many do you know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Brainiac\"><\/span><strong>Brainiac<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051706\/shutterstock_1724344921-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"A very intelligent young boy thinking deeply\" class=\"wp-image-7467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051706\/shutterstock_1724344921-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051706\/shutterstock_1724344921-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051706\/shutterstock_1724344921-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051706\/shutterstock_1724344921-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051706\/shutterstock_1724344921-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Brainiac\" is a combination of \"brain\" and \"maniac.\" Originally, it was the name of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dc.com\/characters\/brainiac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">villain<\/a> from the <em>Action Comics<\/em> stories about Superman, and he first appeared in 1958. Brainiac is a very intelligent half-man, half-machine who attempts to collect all of the knowledge in the universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the Brainiac from these stories is evil, the expression used today simply refers to someone who is very smart.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">I\u2019m no brainiac, but even I could solve this puzzle quite easily.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Goon\"><\/span><strong>Goon<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Goon,\" originally, was the opposite of a brainiac \u2014 a person who is not very intelligent. The modern meaning, however, includes extra nuance, and it's because of a cartoonist named E.C. Segar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Segar, who is most famous for <em><a href=\"https:\/\/popeye.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Popeye<\/a><\/em>, created a comic series called <em>Thimble Theater<\/em>. This series included a character named Alice the Goon, a large woman who works for an evil pirate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although Alice eventually became a \u201cgood\u201d character, goon is used today as a negative word for a strong but unintelligent person who supports an evil boss.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">Anyone who doesn't cooperate will get a visit from the boss' goons.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kryptonite\"><\/span><strong>Kryptonite<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051801\/julia-kadel-ASgjGlruKCo-unsplash-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"A cluster of green crystals\" class=\"wp-image-7468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051801\/julia-kadel-ASgjGlruKCo-unsplash-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051801\/julia-kadel-ASgjGlruKCo-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051801\/julia-kadel-ASgjGlruKCo-unsplash-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051801\/julia-kadel-ASgjGlruKCo-unsplash-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17051801\/julia-kadel-ASgjGlruKCo-unsplash-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is another term that was born in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dc.com\/characters\/superman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Superman<\/a> comics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Superman has super strength, speed, vision and hearing ability. And of course, he can fly! However, he does have a weakness, and even people who don\u2019t read comics know what it is: a green material similar to crystal called \"kryptonite.\"&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kryptonite is the only thing that can hurt Superman. Because of that, the word is often used casually today to refer to a person\u2019s biggest weakness or something that they cannot say no to.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">I\u2019m supposed to be on a <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/daily-news\/article\/cheating-and-eating-do-cheat-days-help-us-diet\/d3b3no1EEe6dVZ-ixEIEBg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">diet<\/a>, but German chocolate cake is my kryptonite! Give me a piece!<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alter_ego\"><\/span><strong>Alter ego<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What do the characters Peter Parker, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne all have in common? They are all the \"alter egos\" of famous superheroes (specifically, Spider-Man, Superman and Batman).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like these characters, who have another life that they keep secret, an alter ego is like a different version of the same person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This term did not originate from comics; in fact, it comes from a Latin phrase meaning \"a second self.\" However, it has become more common because of the popularity of superheroes who hide their true identities behind masks or other disguises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Casually, people use this term to refer to people who seem to have more than only one life or personality.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">He\u2019s normally pretty serious, but whenever Ben starts drinking, his wild alter ego comes out.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is often used in a joking way.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">We don\u2019t believe her life is as quiet as it seems; she probably has an alter ego as an international spy, like <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/daily-news\/article\/superfan-to-get-1000-to-watch-all-24-james-bond-films\/hqWRQJDFEeuXVZPgU4ArDQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James Bond<\/a>.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Security_blanket\"><\/span><strong>Security blanket<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Security blankets\" (sometimes called \u201ccomfort blankets\u201d) are blankets or soft items carried by young children to make them feel comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although this term existed earlier, it gained more popularity due to the character Linus from the famous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peanuts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Peanuts<\/em><\/a> comics. Linus always carries his blanket with him, but this blanket represents mental comfort more than the physical kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the nuance the expression has today; security blankets for adults can be anything that makes someone feel safe and secure.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">This music is my security blanket; listening to it relaxes me no matter how stressed I may feel.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shazam\"><\/span><strong>Shazam<\/strong><strong><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054046\/Wizard-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054046\/Wizard-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054046\/Wizard-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054046\/Wizard-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054046\/Wizard-700x400.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever used the music app <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shazam.com\/apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shazam<\/a>? If you don\u2019t know the name of a song you hear playing somewhere, hold up your phone and it can identify it for you \u2014 almost like magic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The app\u2019s name is not a <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/words\/word\/coincidence\/zga0ELstQmCjlQAAAABzfg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">coincidence<\/a>. In 1940, a story in <em>Whiz Comics<\/em> introduced a wizard named Shazam who gives magical powers to a boy named Billy. From that day on, Billy would shout the word \u201cShazam\u201d whenever he wanted to transform into his super alter ego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, it has become a \u201cmagic word\u201d in casual conversations; whenever someone wants to emphasize that something has been done very quickly or mysteriously, they may say this word.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141624\/avatar_16.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">Danni<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">Shazam!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141702\/avatar_23.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">Cammy<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">Wow! How did you fix that so quickly?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Back_to_the_drawing_board\"><\/span><strong>Back to the drawing board<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People use this expression when their original plan has failed and they need to develop a new strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It became a common phrase after it was introduced by cartoonist Peter Arno in a comic that appeared in the <em>New Yorker<\/em> magazine in 1941.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141551\/avatar_7.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">Jules<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">I really thought that idea would work.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/22141826\/avatar_33.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">Vince<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">So did I. Oh well, back to the drawing board.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keeping_up_with_the_Joneses\"><\/span><strong>Keeping up with the Joneses<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKeeping up with the Joneses\u201d is the idea of competing with your neighbors or colleagues to have the biggest house, nicest car, fanciest clothes, etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This expression is also the name of a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Keeping_Up_with_the_Joneses_(comics)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">comic strip<\/a> that was created by Arthur \u201cPop\u201d Momand in 1913. It\u2019s about the McGinis family and their struggle to match the lifestyle of their neighbors, the Jones family, who seem to be more successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a common expression today, and it is likely the inspiration for the American reality TV series <em>Keeping Up with the Kardashians<\/em>, which ran from 2007 to 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">Phil is very happy and comfortable with his life; he is not interested in keeping up with the Joneses.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Newlywed\"><\/span><strong>Newlywed<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054706\/alesia-kaz-ESGJoEl8bcU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A young newlywed couple holding hands and looking toward the sky\" class=\"wp-image-7472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054706\/alesia-kaz-ESGJoEl8bcU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054706\/alesia-kaz-ESGJoEl8bcU-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054706\/alesia-kaz-ESGJoEl8bcU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054706\/alesia-kaz-ESGJoEl8bcU-unsplash-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/17054706\/alesia-kaz-ESGJoEl8bcU-unsplash-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNewlyweds\u201d are a couple who has recently gotten married. The meaning is easy to understand when you know that \u201cwed\u201d is a verb that means \u201cto marry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it is common today, in 1907, it was simply the name of a comic strip about a new couple called <em>The Newlyweds and Their Baby<\/em>. However, the couple in the story was actually called \u201cMr. and Mrs. Newlywed\u201d!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The story was created by George McManus and is considered to be the very first American comic strip about a family. US comics are not only about superheroes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Worrywart\"><\/span><strong>Worrywart<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A \u201cworrywart\u201d is a person who is always worrying about something and is rarely relaxed. It became a popular expression due to a character created by cartoonist J.R. Williams in the 1920s. The character was called the Worry Wart because his bad behavior made everyone around him worry!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-sentences block-align-none\"><strong class=\"unified-sentences-title\">Don\u2019t be such a worrywart; we have plenty of time to get to the airport before our flight.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you heard any of these words or expressions before? Every one of them is common in daily English conversations. They are all proof of the power of art to influence culture and even the way people talk. Try using one in your next English chat!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In recent years, some of the biggest movies and television shows have been based on characters from comics, and comic stories have become a major part of pop culture. However, even before this boom, comics...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":7483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7465","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-fun"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>English Expressions That Come from Comics | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Comics have had a surprising impact on the English language. 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