This week, it’s the language of politics. Martha and Grant discuss two handy terms describing politicians: far center and snollygoster. Also, a presidential word puzzle, false friends, spendthrifts, and a long list of 17th-century insults. So listen...
Beware of false friends, those words that don’t translate the way you’d expect. For example, the word “gift” in German means “poison,” and the Spanish word “tuna” means “the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.” These tricky lookalikes are also called...
gasoline siding n.— «The wood-frame home, which is adjacent to Vale Park on the south side of Eastern Avenue, also has what firefighters euphemistically call “gasoline siding”—a petroleum-based imitation brick that feeds the flames.» —“Schenectady...
A Slang This! contestant guesses at the meaning of the slang terms faux po and pole tax. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Faux Po and Pole Tax” You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Grant Barrett. And I’m Martha Barnette, and...
faux-po
n.— «“Faux-po” = A security guard, mall officer or a rent-a-cop.» —“Re: Slang words” by glitter_vertigo in San Francisco, California MakeupTalk Jan. 6, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Rennie n.— «Such devotion is common among “Rennies” or “playtrons,” as the most serious Renaissance-obsessed merrymakers call themselves. Many have attended the festival for decades—sometimes traveling great distances to roam the 25-acre faux-Tudor...
