scrap
n.— «Three Norteños riding in the car—including a 16-year-old Tracy boy—were convicted in connection with the crime. Transcripts suggest it was Ramos’ shirt that drew their attention. “Is that guy a scrap?” one of them asked, using the derogatory term for a Sureño.» —“Thug life” by Alex Breitler Record (Stockton, California) Apr. 22, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
National Book Award winner Barry Lopez had wise advice for young writers. First, read widely and follow your curiosity. Second, travel or learn a foreign language. And third, find out what you truly believe, because if you’re not writing from...
A hundred years ago, suffragists lobbied to win women the right to vote. Linguistically speaking, though, suffrage isn’t about “suffering.” It’s from a Latin word that involves voting. Plus: military cadences often include...