TagBees Knees

Beast Mode

If something’s β€œthe bee’s knees,” you can bet that it’s also beast. A sixth grade teacher wonders about the term beast being thrown around by her students. This synonym for β€œcool” or β€œgood” is also used as a verb, as in β€œI beasted that exam,” or β€œI...

Talking in Text

BTDubs, a San Diego caller notices that more of her co-workers are talking in text, saying things like β€œBRB” instead of β€œBe right back” or β€œJK” instead of β€œJust kidding!” Is it a passing fad, or a new way of speaking? This is part of a complete...

It’s the Bomb

A Southern California woman says she was caught up short when she enthused, β€œIt’s the bomb,” and a 12-year-old had no idea what she was saying. Does our slang need to change as we grow older? Why do we say β€œthe bomb”? This is part of a complete...

Phonemarking (minicast)

Oh, yes, it’s time for another podcast, this one featuring a slang quiz on the word β€œphonemarking.” Transcript of β€œPhonemarking (minicast)” Welcome to the summer edition of Slang This, the language quiz from A Way with Words. Our family tends to...