repertory grid
n.— «Professor Canter’s group conducted a series of interviews with 49 terrorists—people convicted of bombing and killings. The work was done outside of the UK because of the refusal of the British authorities to facilitate the research at home. The team used an interview technique known as the “repertory grid”—a method that allows an individual to express their understanding of themselves and the world around them by indicating who is important in their lives. This approach might, for example, involve asking interviewees to order cards printed with names of friends and associates.» —“Study tracks ‘pathways to terror’” by Jonathan Amos BBC News Sept. 10, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
Lee in Charleston, South Carolina, remembers her dad used to refer to a blue patch of sky after a rain as kitten’s britches. Similar terms include Dutchman’s trousers, old woman’s apron, and cat’s vest, all suggesting that...