Ever wonder what medieval England looked and sounded like? In Old English, the word hord meant “treasure” and your wordhord was the treasure of words locked up inside you. A delightful new book uses the language of that period to create...
Kelly from Cincinnati, Ohio, says her father uses the word gradoo to mean “clutter” or “a bit of litter.” Also spelled gradu or gradeau, our listeners report using this word in a variety of ways, to mean “gunk,”...
David from Dallas, Texas, grew up hearing his great-aunt use gradoo for a bit of grime, schmutz, or crud. His family assumed it was a family invention, but the word, also spelled gradu, turns up across the South and in scattered spots like...
Choosing language that helps resolve interpersonal conflict. Sometimes a question is really just a veiled form of criticism and understanding the difference between “ask culture” and “guess culture” can help you know how to...
Gradoo, also spelled as gradu, means miscellaneous dirt, sludge, grit, or other gunk you’d rather not step in. Reed in Madison, Wisconsin, grew up hearing it in Louisiana from both English and Cajun French speakers. Its origin is uncertain, but one...