Why do we refer to “testing or going beyond limits” as pushing the envelope? In aeronautics, to push the envelope means to try to go past the edge of the aircraft’s perceived capability. In the 1980s, the phrase was popularized by Tom Wolfe’s book...
Quiz Guy John Chaneski’s brain teaser involves words and phrases that the late writer Tom Wolfe helped popularize. For example, what phrase is associated with Wolfe’s 1979 book with a title that might be paraphrased as “Just What Is Needed?” This is...
I went to Paris, I went to Egypt, I’ve been to New York, and I will be going to Rome. I do this by sitting in a corner. Who am I? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Sitting in a Corner Riddle” Grant another word puzzle for you. I...
Welcome to another newsletter from A Way with Words. This past weekend we gave another airing to our episode about crossword puzzles. This is the one in which we talked about whether it should be "driver license," "drivers'...
A San Diego woman is bothered by the convention of addressing envelopes to Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. Shouldn’t we also include the woman’s first name?
spoofo n.— «One large envelope sent by North Fort Myers resident Julie Jordan contained something called an operatic “spoofo” about Florida retirement life, which included roles for a soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, accompanist and narrator...
