Arthur in New Bern, North Carolina, wonders why we say something that isn’t difficult is as easy as pie when making a pie is a whole lot of work. This phrase most likely refers to the ease of eating a pie, not making one. This is part of a...
Scottish cringe n.— «Over the past week, as it became clear a decision on Megrahi’s future was imminent, many Scottish pundits and opposition politicians were consumed by what is called the Scottish cringe—the idea that some decisions are...
greenager n.— «The eco-conscious youngsters, dubbed “Greenagers,” now want to put more pressure on older generations to take a lead in environmental decision-making.» —“‘Greenagers’ Want Climate Change...
conceptionmoon n.— «A 2006 survey on BabyCenter.com, a Web site for new parents, showed that three quarters of 1,052 participants had taken “conceptionmoons,” or baby-making junkets, and 40 percent of those had been successful...
break late v. phr.— «In Illinois, at least, large numbers of black voters tend to take their time making up their minds. In political parlance, they “break late.”» —“Why Obama will surprise national political...
Chateau Migraine n.— «The director general of one of Egypt’s largest wine-makers, the Lebanese Andre Hadji-Thomas, smiles as he remembers his 1998 visit to the Gianaclis estate, put up for sale 30 years after its nationalisation by then...