The books we love as children may influence our careers more than we realize. As a child, Martha was fascinated with stories of cracking codes, and Grant loved books with glossaries–not that far from the kind of work they do today. A caller...
In honor of the old Dial-a-Joke phone line, Quiz Guy John Chaneski has a game called “Blank-a-Blank,” with clues to different terms that have the letter a sandwiched between two dashes. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
Your telephone is for talking, right? Or is it? We’re guessing it’s been a while since you sat next to a telephone waiting for it to ring. In fact, maybe you’re one of those people who HATE to see that voicemail message light...
How did the word gay go from meaning lighthearted to homosexual? Also, why are elementary schools sometimes called grammar schools? Plus, imeldific, gone pecan, random Scrabble words, and the difference between borrow and lend. And the etiquette of...
When award winners say I’m humbled, Ann from Burlington, Vermont, hears a mismatch: winning seems like a moment to feel honored, not brought low. The phrase can sound disingenuous if it calls attention to the prize, but it can also be apt when the...
Tell your Mom the sterling silver stud above your lip isn’t “that dumb thing.” It’s called a Monroe piercing, in honor of Marilyn’s famed beauty mark. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Monroe...