1. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts This phrase refers to the Trojan horse. The Greeks, who were at war with the Trojans, needed a way to get into the walls of Troy. They constructed a large wooden horse and offered it as a gift or peace offering to the city of Troy. Once the horse was brought inside the city, the Greek warriors who were hiding inside were then able to open the gates of Troy to their comrades. This led to Troy’s destruction. Today the term serves as a warning to never trust your enemies Example: “It may seem like he’s doing you a kindness, but beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

2. Banana Republic A political science term for a politically unstable country whose economy is largely dependent on the export of a single limited-resource product, such as bananas. Today the term could be used to imply that a government or economy is primitive and unstable. Example: If you look close at that country’s economy and government, you will find that they are a Banana Republic.

3. Brave New World This phrase was originally coined by William Shakespeare in his play, Tempest; however Aldous Huxley’s novel, Brave New World, pushed this phrase into the public eye. It alludes to the idea of an isolated person seeing a depraved view of the outside world and finding it beautiful. The term points toward the irony of seeing beauty rather than a corrupt reality. Example: The announcement of Google Glass ushers us into a brave new world of human interaction.

4. A Bee in your bonnet This phrase alludes to the state of agitation. It follows on from the earlier expression 'to have bees in one's head', which had much the same meaning. This is recorded from the 16th century, for example, in Alexander Douglas's Aeneis, 1513:“Quhat bern be thou in bed with heid full of beis?” Today this term means to be preoccupied or obsessed with an idea. Example: I got the best idea for a group project as soon as the teacher gave the assignment. I couldn’t sit still for the rest of class. I definitely had a bee in my bonnet.

5. Bona fide Latin term for “good faith.” In law, it refers to the mental and moral state of honesty and conviction. Today this allusion gives the idea of being authentic or genuine. She bought a bona fide Rembrandt painting; she must have spent a fortune.

6. Carte Blanche From the French, meaning 'white (or blank) paper.’ In 1712, Joseph Addison, author of The Spectator, changed the meaning of this phrase to suggest the idea of giving someone the freedom to complete a task on his/her terms. The term carte blanche has also been adopted a meaning of an offer by a man to a woman to become his mistress. This meaning presumably relies on the notion that the woman would have the option of spending freely at the man's expense. Today this phrase means having free rein to choose whatever course of action you want He gave his wife carte blanche as she chose decorations for their new house.

7. Caveat Emptor From the Latin term that translates “Let the buyer beware.” The consumer is responsible for ensuring that the goods being sold to him/her are in good condition before purchase. Most commonly used when referring to the sale of real estate. If a home turns out to be defective, the buyer is responsible for the repairs. Example: This item may not be worth the price; so, as always, caveat emptor.

8. Chutzpah This Yiddish word is literally translated as audacity or insolence. The English usage has taken on a broader positive meaning such as describing a person’s courage. Businessmen or politicians with confidence and boldness can be described as having chutzpah. Example: It takes chutzpah to stand in front of the class and announce that you are a better writer than William Shakespeare.