Chris from Castro, New York, is curious about bum rush or bum’s rush, which refers to forcibly removing someone from an establishment. In 1987, Public Enemy’s debut album Yo! Bum Rush the Show popularized the use of bum rush to mean something...
Marty from Philadelphia asks when gay shifted from meaning “merry” or “happy” to meaning “homosexual,” and why that particular word took on the newer sense. English borrowed gay from French in the 1300s for “merry” or “jolly,” while late-1800s hobo...
hobo pack n.— «After the coals had heated up, it was time to let the “hobo pack,” containing chicken and potatoes, cook for about 45 minutes. Even though some of the chicken got black from being on top of the coals, it tasted...