Alex in Montreal wonders why his Canadian Armed Forces unit uses the British-style pronunciation lef-TEN-ant for lieutenant, while Americans usually say loo-TEN-ant. Both pronunciations trace to French before the word entered English, with the f...
It’s time for book recommendations! Martha’s enjoying an armchair tour of important places in the history of our language, and Grant recommends relaxing with books that make great reading for both children and adults. Plus, are you the...
Spit baths are quick cleanups with a moistened tissue, napkin, or towel, the sort Lee in Arcadia, Indiana, remembers getting before going out in public. Another listener recalls a University of Tennessee fraternity term from the late 1950s: SAE...
bolt-on n.—Gloss: a business or product line acquired by a company in lieu of the company developing that product or expertise for itself. Note: Also as an adjective. «Although Oracle would like to be considered daring, its strategy of...
blessing-way n.— «Consider a blessing-way type ceremony in lieu of a traditional shower. This can be adapted to just about every religion I can think of, as well as to people who are not religious. This gets away from the whole material...
firehouse primary n. an electoral nominating process similar to a caucus, held in lieu of a primary election. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)