The word zarf means “a metal cupholder,” but a Scrabble enthusiast says other players always challenge his use of that word. He wants to know its origin. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Zarf Origin” Hello, you have A Way with...
stationery wardrobe n.— «Ms. Kargman, the author of social satires like “The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund,” out this spring, is not only conversant with the phrase “stationery wardrobe,” she has one of her own. It includes miniature raspberry-colored...
happy clappy adj.— «The pejorative term happy clappys doesn’t apply to the music ministry of the son of Brian Houston, the flamboyant senior pastor of the Hillsong empire.» —“He’s on a musical mission for God” by Linda Morris Sydney Morning...
hydraulic n.— «We did what’s called surfing with the raft, surfing is basically where you put the front half of the raft in what’s called a hydraulic, or a surf hole. You can spin around in it, you just try to maintain keeping the raft in the surf...
lucky sperm club
n.— «He says Barron Hilton, heir to the Conrad Hilton hotel empire, belongs to the “Lucky Sperm Club.”» —“Trump’s greatest project: Himself” by David Greising Chicago Sun-Times Dec. 13, 1987. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Simi-socialism n.— «Then he went independent with Farmacias Similares, eliminating the government middle man by sell medicines directly to consumers. He calls it “Simi-socialism,” which he defines as “an economic, political and social theory that...