A San Diego, California, listener recalls that when asked “How’s it going?” his father would often respond “same old six and eight.” It may be a variation of the British expression “same old seven and six,” meaning “seven shillings and sixpence,” a...
Joyce, in Azle, Texas, say her grandmother used to exclaim, “That just beats a goose a-gobblin’!” whenever something awed or frustrated her. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Goose a-Gobblin'” Hello, you have A Way with Words...
Hallmark Cards got its name from Joyce C. Hall, who bought an engraving shop along with his brothers in 1910. Would it have taken off had they just called it Hall Cards? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Naming Hallmark” We talked...
wrench time n.— «But the mechanics do not simply need better instruction, Mr. Joyce said. The typical mechanic, he estimates, puts in just four and a half hours of “wrench time” during an eight-hour shift. Much time is wasted traveling between...
squidel n.— «He often called her degrading names in front of the children. Names like “squidel,” which she says is another word for prostitute.» —“Convention forces Jamaican Government’s hand: More shelters for abused women to come” by Joyce...
freeze dance n.— «No longer can kids be bored at a party. These days there has to be some sort of allotment for kids, even if it’s hiring a teenager to do freeze dance.» —“Party Gone Bad: Blame the Parents” by Joyce Wadler New York Times Nov. 24...
