oil spot
n.— «The movement would immediately extend into Vento and the Liguria and gradually embrace the surrounding regions “like an oil spot,” either through disorganizing and flanking operations of the militarily less organized Red elements of those districts, or by direct armed action.» —“Army Reports Reds Plot to Take Italy” by Drew Pearson Washington Post Sept. 8, 1947. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
For rock climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, the word send has taken on a whole new meaning. You might cheer on a fellow snowboarder with Send it, bro! — and being sendy is a really great thing. Plus: a nostalgic trip to Willa...
Many of us struggled with the Old English poem “Beowulf” in high school. But what if you could actually hear “Beowulf” in the English of today? There’s a new translation by Maria Dahvana Headley that uses contemporary...