We spoke on the show not long ago about how the phrase to keep something at bay derives from hunting. A listener wrote in with an evocative description of its origin, referring specifically to that period when cornered prey is able to keep predators...
Keeping something at bay comes from the baying sound that hunting dogs make when they’ve got their prey in a standoff. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Keeping At Bay” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Stacey from...
To keep something at bay means to maintain a safe distance from it. But does this expression derive from an old practice of using bay leaves to ward off pestilence? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Keep At Bay” Hello, you have A...
hog-dogging n. 1. a (blood) sport in which trained dogs corner (wild) pigs; 2. showing off; hot-dogging. Editorial Note: Though both are often called hog-dogging, some participants make a distinction between hog-baying, in which the dogs are only...
