Great news for language fans: The Australian National Dictionary is now available online for free. It’s full of fascinating words from Down Under. Contrary to what you might think, for example, kangaroosters are pouchless and feather-free, and...
bring-down n.— «At the same time the advanced due-diligence process, known as “bring-down,” being undertaken by B&B’s advisers had started to turn up some disturbing figures in the mortgage book.» —“B&B had to pass the...
blind hoistway n.— «He concluded that he must be on the thirteenth floor, and that, this being an express elevator, there was no egress from the shaft anywhere for many stories up or down. (Such a shaft is known as a blind hoistway...
soft-second n.— «As another example, borrowers could be required to share with the government or with the holder of the borrower’s existing mortgage either the equity created through a write-down or the future appreciation in the home...
In San Diego, a man says increasingly he hears the phrase down the pike at work but suspects it was originally down the pipe. This is part of a complete episode.
A caller from Down Under phones to say he’s annoyed when honorees declare they’re humbled by this or that award. He thinks it’s not only illogical, but smacks of insincerity. This is part of a complete episode.