auto fraudo n.— «Democrats passed the Motor Voter law in 1993 (in the meeting I started hearing the old Republican name for it, “auto fraudo”), which permanently loosened the rules on mailed-in voter registration.» —“Been...
We hear the word maverick a lot lately, but where did this term for a stubborn nonconformist come from? Martha tells the story of the Texas politician who inspired the word, and whose grandson apparently coined another familiar English word...
hot tubbing n.— «He might have preferred a new way of hearing expert testimony that Australian lawyers call hot tubbing. In that procedure, also called concurrent evidence, experts are still chosen by the parties, but they testify...
A caller who grew up in New Jersey remembers hearing a neighbor use the expression Hak mir nisht ken tshaynik whenever she wanted to shush someone. He’s sure the phrase is Yiddish, but he’s never been able to figure out the literal...
A retired theater professor wants to know why she keeps hearing the word dramaturge used in surprising new ways. Is dramaturged now a legitimate verb? Can the noun also refer to someone who adapts a play for particular production—and not just to the...
over-lay sleeping n.— «The Joplin woman awaits a preliminary hearing on involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the Aug. 8 death of 4-month-old Ashton Jones. Prosecutors say Jessica Jones rolled over on the infant in her sleep...