rehydroxylation dating n.— «Researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Edinburgh, behind the new technique, called it “rehydroxylation dating” to be used on fired clay ceramics like bricks, tile and pottery. […] The method relies on the...
grizzle v.— «Get this formula wrong, however, and the finished glass would be unstable. It would continue to absorb moisture from the air and become cloudy in a process called grizzling. Thanks to the wonders of modern atmospherically controlled...
Welcome to another newsletter from A Way with Words! This week's minicast, available only online, is about the Yiddish expression "hak mir nisht ken tshaynik." It's what you say to somebody who's annoying you with a lot of talk...
Ketchikan tennis shoe n.— «One of natural wool’s greatest attributes is one of its greatest weaknesses: It absorbs moisture without losing insulating value. This makes it perfect for something like socks in rubber boots or, as they are called in...
lip-licker’s dermatitis n.— «When you lick your lips, the temporary moisture evaporates, leaving the lips further dehydrated. Too much moisture around the lips can sometimes lead to what’s commonly called lip-licker’s dermatitis—a rash that...
old maid n.— «The key to successful popcorn is the roughly 13 percent moisture inside each kernel, which makes it explode under heat. Lose the moisture and you’ve got duds, or what the popcorn industry calls Old Maids.» —“Tricks to making movie...