A man in Rupert, Vermont, says his wife affectionately calls him a big galooly. It’s unclear where that word might have come from, although it might derive from galoot. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Galooly...
In Arabic-speaking families, it’s not uncommon for mothers to address their children with the Arabic word for “mama” or for fathers to use the word for “father” when addressing their offspring. These words are used in...
A caller from Vermont says his Mississippi-born grandfather always called him a pussle-gut and warned him about an unseen wampus cat. The former, also spelled puzzle-gut, means “a fat or pot-bellied person,” with pussle related to pus, as in bodily...
Oh, those romantic Germans! Among their many terms of endearment is the one that translates as “mouse bear.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Mouse Bears” Here’s an adorable term of endearment from...
Sötnos, with an umlaut over that first o, is a Swedish term of endearment. Literally, it means “sweet nose.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Sötnos” Granted, I know you know some Swedish. How about this...
If you’re nibbling on slippery Jims or sipping sweet soup, chances are you’re in the Badger State. It’s the language of Wisconsin — explained at last. Also, the famous abolitionist whose name became an exclamation, and how to...