In Newfoundland the word bridge, also spelled brudge, can mean “a deck” or “a porch,” while the word porch refers to an additional room, usually attached at the back of a house, and used as a storage space or mud room. If a Newfoundlander says it’s...
Chrissie in Arlington, Virginia, has fond memories of her family playing bridge together. Whenever a trick with four cards that included an ace, a two card, a three card, and a four card was played, her grandmother would chuckle and say, Ace, two...
Why does the expression in spades mean “in abundance”? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “In Spades Meaning and Origin” Hey there, you have A Way with Words. Hello, Martha. This is Paul McDowell from South Bend, Indiana. Hey, Paul...
The terms long suit and strong suit are both used metaphorically to refer to a particular personal strengths. Both expressions arose from card playing. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Long Suit, Strong Suit” Hello, you have A Way...
The German word for “mnemonic device” is Eselsbrücke, or literally, “donkey bridge.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Eselsbrücke” We were talking at the top of the show about mnemonic devices. And I love the German word for a...
The Italian word ponte means “bridge,” as in the Ponte Vecchio of Florence. In Italian, ponte now also denotes the Monday or Friday added to make for a long weekend. Other languages, such as German and Spanish, also make a similar use of their words...
