Are fairy tales too scary for children? A survey of parents in Britain found that more than half wouldn’t read them to their children before age five. Martha and Grant discuss the grisly imagery in fairy tales, and whether they’re too traumatizing...
Barack Obama wants to put people to work building roads and bridges. But how about a federal jobs program for out-of-work writers? Also: why do we call it a flight of wine? How did the haircut called a mullet get its name?
Like mushrooms in fallen leaves, new words keep popping up overnight. Also, is there an English word that means “the in-laws of your son or daughter“? And what does it mean when someone says, “Well, that was odder than Dick’s hatband!”?
freetard n.—Gloss: A derogatory nickname for person who believes that software, television, movies, or other digital media should be available at no cost. «It’s not just the Internet’s so-called freetards who are criticizing the movie industry for...
shave rule n.— «Add the fact that curveballs aren’t allowed, with a few exceptions for more developed pitchers, who fit what is called the shave rule, meaning that a youngster is generally physically developed enough to safely throw curves when...
In this week’s installment of Slang This!, the president of the National Puzzlers’ League tries to pick out the slang terms from a list that includes poguey, pushover, noodles, and naff. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Slang Quiz...
