Japan surpassing
n.— «These days, the phrase floating around to characterize the world’s second largest economy is “Japan surpassing”—praise for a country that has far exceeded American expectations as a reliable ally standing behind U.S. efforts in Iraq.» —“Japan Exceeds U.S. Expectations in Iraq” by Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Ga.) May 16, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
What’s up with ketchup? The shifting history and spelling of the name of this condiment. For centuries, ketchup was a fishy sauce originating in Asia—the tomatoes came only later! Plus, a new book shows what’s lost when a language dies: when there...
Amid a 1796 heat wave, Jane Austen wrote to her sister, “What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Jane Austen’s Continual State of Inelegance in a 1796...