In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter doesn’t pour the pine,” an...
How about this riddle? A man leaves home. He goes a little ways and turns a corner. He goes a while and turns another corner. Soon, he turns one more corner. As he’s returning home, he sees two masked men. Who are they? This is part of a complete...
This week’s Slang This! contestant, a comic-book illustrator from Providence, R.I., tries to guess the meaning of the expressions “hat-catcher” and “to go shucks.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Hat-Catcher” You’re listening to A...
hat catcher n.— «His interest in the fire department was another thing Elmore Tonini shared with his father: Both were well-known “hat catchers”—a term for a fan of the fire department.» —“Elmore Tonini, church supply patriarch, dies at 86” by...