Skip, a sailing enthusiast from Gainesville, Florida, has been pondering radio protocols, such as the distress signal mayday!, and sécurité, which announces any of various warnings. There’s also pan-pan, repeated three times, a call that...
Since the early 19th century, the term collywobbles referred to “gastrointestinal distress.” This word may derive from colic, or “abdominal pain,” plus the word wobbles, referring to something unsteady, suggesting “a...
If someone’s in a swivet, they’re flustered, panicky, or too distracted to concentrate. You might be in a swivet because you’re late, swamped with work, or hurrying to get the house ready before guests arrive. This is part of a complete episode...