Michelle calls from the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania to ask about it’s been a minute meaning “It’s been a while.” Why would we use a phrase that usually means “sixty seconds” for a period of time that might...
If everyone on the planet spoke a single language, wouldn’t that make life a whole lot easier? For that matter, is a common world language even possible? Maybe for a minute or so—until new words and phrases start springing up. Also, did you...
A Chinese proverb says, “He who asks a question is a fool for a minute. He who does not remains a fool forever.” This is part of a complete episode.
What do we mean by the expression “not to mince words”? The New York Times’ Paul Krugman often uses this idiom meaning “to be straightforward and blunt.” The verb mince means “to make small,” and is a...
telco hotel n.— «“I live in Chula Vista. For me to get to the closest data center, it’s a 45-minute drive on a typical day,” he said. And, those San Diego data centers are filling up. Most are clustered at Scranton Road in La Jolla...
worm grunting n.— «Earthworms are sensitive to low-frequency vibrations. These drive some types of earthworms to the surface, and in the southeastern US is used in a practice known as “worm grunting,” by scraping a piece of metal on...