Pam in New York City wonders if bidding someone farewell with toodle-oo or toodle-loo derives from the French expression à tout à l’heure, “see you soon.” The French connection is plausible, but the English form appears earlier than World War II...
bitza n.—Gloss: a thing that has a mixed heritage or is made of an other assortment of different things. Note: Also spelled “bitsa.” Both are shortened forms of “bitzer” or “bitser,” which in turn are...
hauterfly n.— «The fashionista is dead. The term to describe followers of of-the-moment fashion has apparently outlived its usefulness. Among the replacements mentioned by insiders during Fashion Week: fannequin, fashitarian, glamourina...
mud hen n.— «Alaska Air two weeks ago retired the last of its dedicated fleet of banged-up old Boeing 737-200s affectionately known as “mud hens.”» —“Arctic Eagles Bid Mud Hens Farewell At Alaska Airlines” by...
sun shining on a dog’s butt other.— «Back home, we call that the sun shining on a dog’s butt. His days are still numbered.» —“Idol Chatter: Producers struggle to fill show; judges say justice done with Haley’s farewell” by...
small little n.— «While Tom Bigler made his mark on the Wilkes community with an accumulation of “small littles,” George F. Ralston, affectionately known for years after his retirement simply as “The Dean,” is...