Martha tries to unravel the tangled etymological web that connects gossamer, spiders, geese, and warm weather in a late autumn.
Unless you’ve been hiding out in a galaxy far, far away, you know that this is an election year. Grant and Martha talk about current political slang. Ever hear of glass pockets? Or horseracism? Is there an etymological connection between...
Back to political talk: Is there an etymological connection between the words caucus and Caucasian? This is part of a complete episode.
It’s the Moby Dick of etymology: Where do we get the phrase “the whole nine yards”? A pediatrician in North Carolina wonders if it derives from a World War II phrase involving “nine yards” of ammunition. Grant and...
quinfecta n. an achievement made up of five major parts. Also quintfecta. Etymological Note: From “quinque” or “quin(t)us” Latin for “five” and “fifth,” plus “perfecta,” a winning horse...
in-law chaser n. a quick or unexpected (snow) storm. Etymological Note: The term appears to be mainly used by the Navajo. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)