Martha tries to unravel the tangled etymological web that connects gossamer, spiders, geese, and warm weather in a late autumn.
bluebird n. in business, an unexpected, very profitable, or easily made sale. Etymological Note: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “bluebird” connoting “happiness” dates to at least as early as 1909. (source: Double...
nerdgasm n.— «When nerds partake in one of these activities, they may have what is commonly referred to as a “nerdgasm.” Contrary to what the name implies, nerdgasms rarely involve the expulsion of bodily fluids. They usually...
bubblehead n.— «Drivers are divided into “incredibly nutty drivers” and “incredibly wacky drivers” with names to match—such as “Commodore Bubblehead,” who “seems to have spent a little too much...
Haitian happiness n. severe diarrhea or dysentery. Editorial Note: Many other terms for diarrhea are constructed with quickstep or (the) trots, such green-apple trots or Saigon quickstep, according to the Historical Dictionary of American Slang...
Haitian happiness n.— «So since we’ve gotten here…well since we’ve got back from the mountian village we’ve had some problems with people being sick. Diarrhea the most common and experienced by everyone! I think they call it Haitian...