A wingnut is a handy, stabilizing piece of hardware. So how did it come to be a pejorative term for those of a particular political persuasion? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Wingnut” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is...
Why do we say something is academic when referring to a question or topic that’s theoretical? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “It’s Academic at this Point” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Good morning. This is Bob Felton from...
kiddie coke n.— «That is not to mention Ritalin—now referred to as “Kiddie Coke” on the street. A psychotropic drug prescribed to millions of children, Ritalin is today a bestselling drug.» —“Solution to World-Wide Drug Abuse Starts at Grass Roots...
casino capitalism n.— «This book’s middle chapters succinctly show how “casino capitalism” (a coinage by Susan Strange, one of the left-wing critics of the market that Green deftly cites) led from late 2007 to a “hurricane unprecedented in its...
younger n.— «In grime speak, they’re known as the “youngers”, a new generation of MCs whose choleric rhymes and internet savvy is helping to re-brand the grime scene as a thriving marketplace of teenage talent.» —“Grime’s new stars: The kids are...
Twittering, tweeting, twirting—it’s rare to see a whole new body of language appear right before your eyes. But that’s what’s happening with Twitter. We discuss the snappy new shorthand of the twitterati. Also, why do people feel compelled to say...

