TagMemphis

Off to the Salt Mines

Mary Lou is a former newspaper reporter in Memphis, Tennessee. One of her editors used to say he was off to the salt mines, meaning he was headed to do some challenging work. That expression is a reference to the grim practice of sending prisoners...

adulticiding

adulticiding  n.— «The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department will begin spraying for mosquitoes June 22. The practice, known as adulticiding, is designed to prevent potential outbreaks of the west nile virus.» —“Mosquito...

bagel

bagel  n.— «Burak’s dog Memphis, a beagle-basset hound cross (or a bagel, as they are called) and for whom the store is named—drags a blanket in his mouth on the hardwood floor.» —“James North comes in from the cold” by Jon...

whip-out

whip-out  n.— «Fred Smith, founder and chief executive officer of Memphis-based Federal Express, is the name that comes to everyone’s lips when asked what advantage the city has in the race for an NFL expansion team. “Fred has said...

tote the note

tote the note  v. phr.— «Fred Smith, founder and chief executive officer of Memphis-based Federal Express, is the name that comes to everyone’s lips when asked what advantage the city has in the race for an NFL expansion team. “Fred...