The idiom dead on, meaning “precisely,” might sound morbid, but it makes sense. It’s a reference to the fact that death is certain and absolute. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Dead On” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this...
A sign-language interpreter found herself translating the word doldrums. She wonders if it has to do the area of the ocean known by that name. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Doldrums” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is...
Something that’s repaired in a makeshift, haphazard fashion, is said to be jury-rigged. Martha discusses the expression’s likely nautical origin and Grant tells how a different term, jerry-built, led to the variation jerry-rigged. This is part of a...
Martha tries to stump Grant with another Tom Swifty, this one nautical in nature. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Nautical Tom Swifty” Grant, I have another Tom Swifty for you. Yes. Go to the back of the boat, the captain said. I...
If a tippler has one too many, he’s said to be “three sheets to the wind.” But why three? And why, of all things, sheets? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Three Sheets to the Wind” Martha, we’ve got an email here from David in...
mahogany reef n. a place where alcoholic drinks are served, especially in a seaside community. Editorial Note: This is a jocular expression associated with sailing and fishing. It is sometimes used as the name of an actual drinking establishment...
