Is there something inherent in English that makes it the linguistic equivalent of the Borg, dominating and consuming other languages in its path? No, not at all. The answer lies with politics and conquest rather than language itself. Plus: a new...
After our conversation about first names that are also verbs, such as Grant, Bob, and Sue, a university freshman in Laramie, Wyoming, wrote to share a funny story about his dad’s name, Rob. This is part of a complete episode.
bring the wood v. phr.— «“They need to see you punish guys,” he said. Hawkins has “brought the wood,” as he calls it, to several players. Good players, too. He booted junior linebacker Jake Duren after his arrest for...
freshman retiree n.— «Last July, after more than 20 years of service—a period in which the family moved 15 times, lived in four countries and endured three deployments—Todd, 44, and Julie, 40, retired from the Air Force.…Last August...
kryptonite n.— «The same things that lowly Washington and freshman Jake Locker used to throw a serious scare into the Trojans. The same things that one USC player referred to as the team’s “kryptonite” in the days leading up...
stunt v.— «Anthony Johnson, 14, said not having girls around for freshman year “takes the pressure off.” “We don’t have to what I call “stunt” in front of the girls,” he said. “The only thing the...