The language of restaurant menus. Need a dictionary to get through a dinner menu? Research shows the longer the description of a particular dish, the more expensive it will be. Plus: What’s the best way to use a thesaurus? DON’T —...
In New England, a basement can technically be upstairs, since basement is another word for “bathroom.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “New England Basements” Hi, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Pam...
What do you call the place you purchase adult beverages? Is it a liquor store or a package store? Package store is common in the Northeast, while folks in Milwaukee know it as the beer depot, and Pennsylvanians might call it the ABC store. Tell us...
If someone still has their blueberry money, chances are they’re a bit stingy. This term from the American Northeast refers to those who’ve held onto the change they made picking and selling blueberries as a kid. This is part of a...
You’ve noticed work seems to expand to fill the time given to complete it. But did you know there’s a term for that? Also this week, the New England exclamation “So don’t I!,” grey vs. gray, building storeys, being...
The term pull-haul, meaning “a verbal conflict,” is heard in New England, particularly Maine. A 1914 citation in the Dictionary of American Regional English alludes to all the pull-hauling among churches when a new congregant moves to...