The slang coming out of Victorian mouths was more colorful than you might think. A 1909 collection of contemporary slang records clever terms for everything from a bald head to the act of sidling through a crowd. Plus, how to remember the difference...
mat herpes n.— «Wantagh postponed two dual meets and withdrew from a weekend tournament after a wrestler was diagnosed with herpes gladiatorum, a herpes simplex virus commonly known as “mat herpes.”» —“New York:...
pedlock n.— «The Alliance has yet to take a position on congestion pricing, but many of its members support the idea. Mr. Tompkins cited the dual threats of gridlock, referring to frequent weekend backups of up to 45 minutes at the...
dualie n.— «Purchase a “dualie,” a large, four-door, luxury pick-up truck which features a set of dual wheels on the rear axle.» —“Simple Pleasures: the Ten-Minute Play, Overnight Theatre, and the Decline of the Art of...
dually n.— «Not just any pickup. “I’m going to get me a dually (with dual rear wheels).”» —“Junior grand championship goes to Pottsboro man, 18” by Nelson Antosh Houston Chronicle (Texas) Feb...
periodic n.— «I thought he had sobered up during our growing up years. I was wrong. He was what is known as a “periodic.” He revealed his dual life to my sister and to me as we entered college, then regularly showed up on...