Our show explores the roots and modern uses of expressions in American English . Today we talk about the word “resolution .” Resolution is a word with more than one meaning . However , when talking about a New Year , a resolution is a promise people make to themselves to be better . The person decides to make a serious effort to do something over the next 12 months . Many people use the start of a new year as a time to try something new or change something about themselves . This use of resolution dates back to the late 1700s . These earlier resolutions were usually of a religious nature . However , these days , New Year's resolutions are usually about living healthier , having more success and finding greater satisfaction in life . So , some common New Year's resolutions are to : Some people may make a New Year's resolution to improve only one area of their life . Others may feel they need to completely change everything . These people may use the New Year as a time to turn over a new leaf ! Turning over a new leaf means to make a change and behave in a more responsible manner . At the start of a New Year , you can wipe the slate clean . Just remember that before you start from a clean slate , learn from the mistakes you made . If not , you may find yourself going back to square one . Some word historians say this expression comes from a board game called Snakes and Ladders . In this game , you begin on square one and win by climbing the ladders to the last square . However , landing on a snake could send you back to the first square , or the very beginning . The expression back to square one could have come from the game Hopscotch . This game also begins on a box marked with the number “1 .” If your plans for the New Year are not working out at all , you may have to go back to the drawing board . This means that your plan or method is not working . So , you have to go back and develop a new solution to the problem . People who draw images , such as cartoonists , use a drawing board . The phrase go back to the drawing board comes from Peter Arno , who worked as a cartoonist for New Yorker magazine . In 1941 , he made a cartoon showing military men running toward a crashed plane . The designer of plane is seen walking away with his designs under his arm . The caption says , "Well , back to the old drawing board ". So , for many people the New Year is a good time for a fresh start . Still , many people do not make New Year's resolutions . They do not want to put added pressure on themselves . Or they are happy with what they are doing and how their lives are progressing . And some people may think that there is no reason to try so hard to change yourself . They may agree with the old saying that a leopard never changes its spots . This means you are born as you are born and no amount of effort can change that . After all , change can be hard . Getting up early to exercise every day is hard . Setting aside time every day to learn a new language or musical instrument is not easy . As we get older , it might be even more difficult for people to change their behavior . Maybe that's way we say , “You can't teach an old dog new tricks .” Have a Happy New Year !