The words tough, through, and dough all end in O-U-G-H. So why don’t they rhyme? A lively new book addresses the many quirks of English by explaining the history of words and phrases. And: have you ever been in a situation where a group makes...
Jessica in Indianapolis, Indiana, says her field of software development, rubber duck applies to a situation where you describe a problem you’re struggling with to someone else, and in the process of explaining it, you hit upon the solution...
skronk n.— «The music touched on free jazz, especially when Krieger let forth some quick runs or hit those intense, dented notes aficionados refer to as “skronk.” He was a fiery presence onstage, often bending over an amp to...
momfluential n.— «A new survey released today shows that a targeted group of women with children are powerful influencers of the types of products, brands and services their families, friends and colleagues buy. These women, called “Mom...
spiral n.— «After three spirals spanning five months, the main experiment for the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 is finally under way here.…According to Scott Sampson, execution director, JEFX consists of three spiral...
fanon n.— «I’ve heard it said that the “Blair-as-trouble-magnet” bit is fanon, not canon, as in it’s an unsupported fic convention. Eh, no, that’s not right. The boy gets into a lot of hot water, and...