A Pennsylvanian who relocated to North Carolina notes that many people in that part of the United States tend to leave the S off of the word cent when talking about money. This well-established feature of Appalachian and Southern varieties often...
Ever seen a bug so big it could stand flat-footed and kiss a turkey? Kathy from Greensboro, North Carolina, called to share some classic idioms her Georgia grandmother would use to describe bugs, like those gallon-nipper mosquitos and Chatham County...
Looking for a book to read with the kids, or maybe a guide to becoming a better writer? Why are leg cramps called charley horses? And where’d we get a phrase like pie in the sky? If you happen to be tall, you’ve no doubt heard plenty of clueless...
Chillary n.—Gloss: a nickname for Senator Hillary Clinton, whose manner is perceived by some people to be too businesslike and impersonal. «Her voice faltered, her eyes glistened, and she appeared to teeter on the brink of tears.…A performance...
post-K adj.— «In its post-Katrina world—or “post-K’” as they say in New Orleans—the city has lost about a third of its population. But people are coming back.» —“Subtle signs of a city righting itself” by Jeri Rowe News-Record (Greensboro, North...
SMOD n.— «The following Standard Mode Of Dress will be required for all students at Allen Middle School for the 2006”“2007 school year. As you shop for school clothes for next year, please follow the guidelines below.» —“Standard Mode of Dress...