Symmachy is a rare word for an alliance formed to fight a common enemy, especially in a political or military sense. Its parts go back to Greek elements meaning “together” and “fight,” the same combative family behind logomachy, a verbal argument...
In A Velocity of Being, a collection of letters to young readers, writer Alexander Chee offers reasons as to why he became a reader himself. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Why He Became a Reader” Alexander Chee has...
Marley in Indianapolis, Indiana, is arguing with her friends over whether the word scrappy is positive or negative. The answer depends on context. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Is “Scrappy” a Positive or...
if-by-whiskey other.— «Government officials appeared to be content with the “if-by-whiskey” message, which in political parlance is an argument that affirms both sides of an issue and agrees with whichever side the questioner...