RAT'S NEST

PRONUNCIATION: (RATS nest)

MEANING: noun: A confused mess.

ETYMOLOGY: From the messiness typically found in a rat’s living quarters. Earliest documented use: 1850. A synonym is mare’s nest.
_____________________________

RAT'S EST - The bum was sentenced to undergo Erhardt's Seminar Training to cure him of his sociopathic tendencies. Lotsa Luck.

RAT'S NEXT - OK, that takes care of the mosquitoes, what scourge shall we deal with now?

HAT'S NEST - the excelsior that the best couturiers pack their chapeaux in