“He’s sharp as the corner of a round table.” “She’s so sad she’s pulling a face as long as a fiddle.” If startling similes leaving you “grinning like a basket full of possum heads,” you’ll...
If people are on warmly congenial terms, they’re said to “get on like a house on fire.” Yet an Irishwoman says when she uses this expression in the U.S., she often gets puzzled looks. Is the expression that unusual? This is part of...
Rawlings’ necklace n.— «When Rawlings was in charge, the economy hit rock bottom. The period is called the “Rawlings necklace” after the way starved Ghanaians’ collarbones became visible.» —“The reality of Ghana’s...
You hear about political groups “canvassing for votes.” But why canvas? We talk about the possible origins of this word, and the connection between the cannabis and the material known as canvas. This is part of a complete episode...
“Full fathom five thy father lies…” When the Bard wrote these immortal words, he was talking about the word fathom as a measure of distance. But a Chicago caller can’t quite fathom the meaning of the verb “to fathom...
Which is correct for describing a close family resemblance: spittin’ image or spit and image? Grant and Martha discuss the possible origins of these expressions, including a recent hypothesis that’s sure to surprise. This is part of a...