It’s the ultimate road trip: A father and son retrace the journey of Odysseus and find a way to navigate their relationship. Plus, the story behind the phrase a flash in the pan: It has nothing to do with cooking or gold mining. Also, what’s a...
The Vatican has a long list of new Latin terms invented to denote things in the modern world, such as umbrella descensoria (“parachute) and ludus follis ovati (literally, “oval ball inflated with wind,” otherwise known as rugby). This is part of a...
This week, it’s the language of politics. Martha and Grant discuss two handy terms describing politicians: far center and snollygoster. Also, a presidential word puzzle, false friends, spendthrifts, and a long list of 17th-century insults. So listen...
estrogenical adj.— «Not at all. I do question why a woman would need balls of any size though. If it was any woman other than Sharon, I’d say it had to do with estrogenical treachery.» —“Re: In teh spirit of Christmas” by K.A. Cannon Usenet: alt...
soaking n.— «A painful out: In base ball’s earliest years, a player could throw a runner out by hitting him with the ball in a practice called soaking. Soaking was outlawed by 1867.» —“A lesson in baseball’s beginnings” by Matt Wastradowski The...
fauxtography n.— «Some more possible evidence of MSM fauxtography (hat tip: kay1212) at OpinionJournal. And here’s another at Hot Air: Another bogus photo?» —“MSM Fauxtography Watch” Little Green Footballs Aug. 8, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued...