If you go to a department store, you’ll see the Men’s department, the Women’s department, and the Children’s department. So why do so many stores have a department that’s called simply “Baby”? Grant attributes the non-possessive nomenclature of...
An Indiana woman is puzzled about a phrase in the old western song, “I Ride An Old Paint”: “I’m goin’ to Montana to throw the houlihan.” What’s a houlihan? You’ll find one version of the lyrics here. Here are different interpretations of this cowboy...
The expression “It’ll never be seen on a galloping horse” means “Don’t be such a perfectionist.” But why? A caller remembers an even odder version: It’ll never be seen on a galloping goose. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
Linda from Boonville, New York, grew up puzzled when her Kentucky grandmother promised to be there directly. In much Southern speech, directly can mean “presently,” “soon,” or “soon enough but not right away,” rather than “immediately.” The...
“I’ll be there at three-ish.” “That shirt is bluish.” “It wasn’t a house— but it was house-ish.” OK, but what in the world does ish mean, exactly? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Defining -Ish” Hello, you have A Way with Words...
Here’s a riddle: “I’m weightless, but you can see me. Put me in a bucket, and I’ll make it lighter. What am I?” Martha has the answer. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Bucket Riddle” Grant, a little word puzzle for you. Okay. I’m...