An Alabama woman says her Minnesota-born husband has never heard an expression she’s used all her life. The phrase is “smell the patching,” as in “If he’s not careful, he’s going to smell the patching.” The idea is that if you do something bad, it...
An office worker in Indianapolis is mystified when a British colleague sends an email telling her to hang fire. It has to do with faulty firearms. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Hang Fire” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi...
bench cut n.—Gloss: A terraced or step-like cut in soil, stone, wood, or other material. «Volunteers will learn how to decrease erosion on slopes by a method called “bench cutting.” They will then make some bench cuts on local trails.» —“Volunteers...
popcorn n.— «With their affection for euphemism, Americans call them “firecrackers” or “popcorn”. They are hollow shells, containing anything from three to more than 2000 bomblets that can spread over large areas and lie dormant for decades.» —“Use...
firecracker n.— «With their affection for euphemism, Americans call them “firecrackers” or “popcorn”. They are hollow shells, containing anything from three to more than 2000 bomblets that can spread over large areas and lie dormant for decades...
couch rocket n. a large, luxurious motorcycle, typically ridden by an older rider. Etymological Note: A play off crotch rocket ‘a small, fast motorcycle.’ (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
