Our discussion of Anglo-Saxon kennings inspired listener Paul Holler of Arlington Heights, Illinois, to write a lovely poem exploring the idea of the kenning sea-guest, meaning “sailor,” and what it means to be a guest of the sea and what that says...
It’s the business of business jargon. Say you’re in line at the drugstore. Does it bother you if the cashier says, “Next guest”? In department stores and coffeeshops, does the term “guest” suggest real hospitality—or just an annoying edict from...
Jerry from New York City is annoyed that clerks in his local drug store and coffee shop baristas refer to him not as a customer, or a patron, but as a guest. He thinks guest sounds contrived, and should be reserved for hoteliers and the like. Well...
FLOP n.— «Often the groom’s family pays for what’s known as FLOP—flowers, liquor, orchestra and photography/videography—and the bride’s family covers the reception. This usually comes out even, according to Rosenthal, especially since the bride’s...
touchback n.— «In addition, undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for two to five years, no matter where they live, would have to travel back to a port-of-entry on the U.S. border, such as El Paso, Texas, and go back across the...
technology butler n. a hotel employee who troubleshoots Internet access, computers, and other electronic equipment for guests. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
