Why is an exciting event called a barnburner? A real barn on fire can be a spectacular sight, with so many combustible materials inside. Metaphorically, then, a barnburner is a “humdinger” or a “doozy.” There’s also a...
sidewalk counselor n.— «For two years, on a strip of pavement outside 560 Southern Boulevard, near 149th Street, protesters and activists who call themselves sidewalk counselors have gathered four times a week—the days the clinic performs...
availability entrepreneur n.— «Today’s interpreters of the weather are what social scientists call availability entrepreneurs: the activists, journalists and publicity-savvy scientists who selectively monitor the globe looking for...
invisible primary n.— «Requiring candidates to launch what is effectively a national campaign ensures that only those who have honed their messages in advance will be able to succeed. No longer will candidates have a chance to experiment...