When is it appropriate to use the word late to describe someone who has died? Late, in this sense, is short for lately deceased. There’s no hard and fast time frame, although it’s been suggested that anywhere from five to 30 years is about right...
Harriet Doerr published her first novel, Stones for Ibarra, at the age of 73. It won a National Book Award. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Harriet Doerr’s First Book” You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language...
fourthmeal n.— «Taco Bell has in recent years promoted its late-night hours and coined the term “Fourthmeal” to denote a late-evening meal.» —“On the Menu: Fast-food outlets open later” by Keith Roysdon Star Press (Muncie, Indiana) June 14, 2007...
late-train fundraiser n.— «On the Lege scene, most of the serious December action is confined to “late-train” fundraisers recalling the opening scenes of The Godfather—much public celebration while the lobbyists, checks in hand, line up in the back...
vomit comet n. any form of transportation on which riders are (jocularly) said to become nauseated or seasick, such as an airplane that simulates zero-gravity conditions or a bus that transports late-night revelers. (source: Double-Tongued...