If you’re madder than a peach orchard boar you’re angry indeed, or otherwise engaging in wild, unrestrained behavior similar to boars or pigs being let loose to gorge themselves on fallen fruit. Variations include crazier than a peach...
A St. Petersburg, Florida, listener says when she used to ask her mother what was for dinner, her mom’s answer was often “root, little pig, or die,” meaning “You’ll have to fend for yourself.” The more common...
What’s so special about the phrase Sit on a pan, Otis? It’s an example of a palindrome — a word or phrase that’s spelled the same backwards as it is forwards. This year’s contest known as the Oscars of the palindrome...
If you’re having a tough time finding something, remember that even a blind pig can find an acorn once in a while. This encouraging idiom actually comes from ancient Rome, where the concept of a blind animal turning something up lent itself to...
Why do we say that someone who’s happy is in hog heaven? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Hog Heaven” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, my name is Jackie. I’m in Dallas. Hiya, Jackie. Welcome to the...
What’s a scissorbill? A bird? A hog? And how did its name get transferred to refer to anyone who’s lazy or ineffectual? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Scissorbill” Hi, you have A Way with Words. Hello...