Edward in Fargo, North Dakota, wonders about the expression of exasperation, If that doesn’t take the cake, meaning “Well, doesn’t that beat all!” or “Isn’t that a shame!” The origins of this phrase go back more than 200 years, when enslaved black...
Marion from Charleston, South Carolina, encountered uff-da after marrying into a Minnesota family on bumper stickers and in everyday talk. The exclamation comes from Norwegian uff da and works as a flexible interjection for surprise, weariness...
What is the best way to talk with a child about losing a pet? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Talking With a Child About Losing a Pet” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Carol, and I’m calling from St. Paul, Minnesota...
high-touch adj.— «Will banks need to be high-tech to succeed? There’s always going to be what I call the high-touch bank. There’s always going to be the high-tech bank, and banks in between.» —“Banking on technology” by Jon Knutson In-Forum (Fargo...
gutless clause n.— «Using a seldom used procedure (called for a lack of a better term—the gutless clause), a motion was made to “table” the bill just prior to crossover. The procedure did not allow for a debate or vote on the bill and allowed the...
hoghouse procedure attrib.— «At the urging of WSI, and led by Sen. Nick Hacker, R-Grand Forks, all the Republicans in the Senate, except Sen. Nething, butchered SB 2257. They stripped the bill of its meaningful reform measures using what is called...
