When a team or player is on the schneid, it means they’re in a performance or scoring slump. But if they get off the schneid, it means they’re winning or playing their best again. It’s a clipped form of Schneider, from the earlier off the Schneider...
A listener named Mark now lives in San Diego, California, but grew up in Chicago, Illinois. There, he recalls, when he and his friends played sandlot baseball, cards, or board games, if an opponent tried to get around the rules and then got called...
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...
The phrase tearing up Jack, which refers to “engaging in rowdy, rambunctious behavior,” has its origins in the traditional English card game known as All Fours. This game is the source of the term jack, referring to the lowest face card...
After our conversation about what to call that moment when you draw the perfect card or tile for the turn you just played, listeners chime in with possibilities: tardy tile, squander, and dalidosh. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
