Sylvia in Bismarck, North Dakota, has fond memories of churning homemade ice cream with her family. When one family member offers to take over the task from another, they might say Want me to spell you? or Want me to spell you off? Both these phrases have their origin in Old English spelian meaning “to substitute for” or “take the place of.” In the 16th century, the verb spell could mean “to work temporarily in order to give someone else a rest.” The idea of taking turns at a job was sometimes expressed as working spell and spell or working spell for spell. A similar notion appears in the use of spell to mean “a period of time,” as in sit a spell or having adry spell or a spell of good weather. This is part of a complete episode.
What makes a great first line of a book? How do the best authors put together an initial sentence that draws you in and makes you want to read more? We’re talking about the openings of such novels as George Orwell’s 1984...
To slip someone a mickey means to doctor a drink and give it to an unwitting recipient. The phrase goes back to Mickey Finn of the Lone Star Saloon in Chicago, who in the late 19th century was notorious for drugging certain customers and relieving...
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