If you’re on tenterhooks, it means you’re in a state of anxious anticipation or suspense. But what IS a tenterhook? The answer goes back to a 15th-century manufacturing process. Also, you probably have a term for those crumbs that...
Did you know reading poetry improves your prose? That includes hip-hop lyrics, too. Also, how linguist can guess where you come from based on how you speak. What do you call someone who picks the chocolate out of the trail mix...
Why shouldn’t it be a term of endearment to call someone a cherry Lifesaver? Cherry’s the best flavor! This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Cherry Lifesaver” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, how’s it...
Is it time to replace the expression “the mentally ill”? Some argue the term unfairly stigmatizes a broad range of people. Also, the winter sport of… skitching, which involves snowy roads, leather shoes — and car bumpers...
Has anyone collected the stuff folks say to bald people? How about a busy road grows no grass, or God only made so many perfect heads — the rest he covered in hair. Jorge Luis Borges deemed the 1982 Falklands War between the UK and Argentina as...
At one time, a boner was a mistake. And now, it’s — you know. Beware of that outdated usage, grownups! This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Innocent Boner” We’re talking about the things that people say that...