Melissa in Charlotte, North Carolina, remembers her grandfather would describe something excellent as better than snuff, but not near as dusty. The snuff in this case refers to finely ground smokeless tobacco. It arose at a time when snuff was...
During the health care debate in Congress, there was lots of talk about an “up-or-down vote.” A Montana listener finds this expression annoying. What’s wrong with plain old “vote”? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Up or Down Vote”...
bedwetter n.— «A member of Congress once told me that Representatives who consider changing their votes based on only a dozen or so phone calls from constituents are referred to as “bedwetters” by the other members of Congress.» —“Banking On...
We hear the word maverick a lot lately, but where did this term for a stubborn nonconformist come from? Martha tells the story of the Texas politician who inspired the word, and whose grandson apparently coined another familiar English word...
rifle shot n.— «Prodded by advocacy groups on both sides of the issue, members of Congress are considering various narrowly targeted proposals—”rifle shots,” in Washington parlance—to ease or tighten the limits on legal entry.» —“Tweaking...
The mildly interesting meaning behind one of Grant’s nominations for the 2007 Word of the Year: earmarxist. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Earmarxist: Political Slang for a Lawmaker Who Adds Earmarks” Well, Grant, a little while...