According to the Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction, an ansible is an “instantaneous communication device.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “An Ansible” Here’s a word I’ve adopted from the...
Rachel from Ashland, Virginia, wonders about the origin of paraphernalia, or “items belonging to a particular person or used for a particular activity.” In ancient Greece, the pherna was a bride’s dowry, and the parapherna was her...
After our conversation about families’ nicknames for household appliances, Luke in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, tells the story of a gesture that evolved in his own family to indicate it’s snack time. This is part of a complete episode...
John from Dallas, Texas, was surprised to learn that a relative who said she was on her way to plant flags at a loved one’s gravesite meant she was going to plant flowers. In addition to meaning “cloth banner,” the word flag is...
In Lancashire, England, the dialectal term sprunny is a synonym for “sweetheart.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Sprunny” Grant, I’m sure you’ll agree that you can never have too many synonyms...
To garner the laurels, meaning “to collect praise,” refers to the ancient practice of awarding crowns of bay laurel leaves to victors in competitions. This tradition of honoring distinction with such a wreath is reflected in the terms Nobel laureate...