J.P. in Temecula, California, is a high schooler studying French and Spanish. He notes that the Spanish word con means “with” and English has some linguistically related words, such as congress, which suggests “coming together” and compress...
bomber’s moon n.— «When the novel opens, Harriet is atop Coventry’s cathedral watching for fires. Jeremy is on another part of the roof, and both are at the mercy of a bright, full moon, commonly called a bomber’s moon. It soon becomes evident that...
maddy maddy n.— «Elsewhere we can think of many “Chos” in our midst, they exist in various offices and workplaces. They are the ones we affectionately call “maddy maddy.” But think again, many of these people need help.» —“Horror that shocked the...
7,000-mile screwdriver n.— «As I think most of you know from our efforts on the USS Cole, the chief of naval operations, secretary of the navy, both for good, legal reasons of not interfering with ongoing investigations from Washington, and for...
hoolie v. phr.— «The boat will have a festive look, provided we are not in the midst of a Southern Ocean hoolie.» —“Yacht Race Crews Endure Christmas At Sea” by Jackie Burdon Press Association (U.K.) Dec. 24, 1992. (source: Double-Tongued...
fit-out n.— «Christopher Buckley…appeared unfazed by this profusion of events in the midst of the process he calls the “fit-out”: the finish, furnishing and equipping of the interiors.» —“Baryshnikov Takes His Building for a Test Run” by Roslyn...