Why call it a doggy bag when it’s really for your husband? Grant and Martha talk about the language of leftovers and why we eat beef and not cow. And how old is the typical public-library patron? Plus, in Afghanistan, proverbs are part of...
We eat chicken and fish, but not cow. Instead, we use terms like veal, beef, mutton, and pork to refer to red meat. It’s largely the result of the Norman invasion of the British Isles, when French started to meld with English. This is part of...
Martha and Grant talk about phrases you love to hate, like “Do you mind if I put you on hold?” They also talk about mountweazels, jakey bums, picklebacks, and step-ins. And which is the proper term: mothers-in-law or mother-in-laws?
Quiz Guy John Chaneski has a word puzzle called “Novel Novels,” in which he gives clues to the names of novels similar to familiar ones, except for one letter. Try this one: “This offbeat novel is based on an incident concerning a...
bug-out bag n.— «Secondly you need what I call a “bug-out bag,” also known as a go kit, go bag, 72-hour kit, run bag and other names, is a container which keeps essential survival items readily available in case of an...
freeport exemption n.— «Another pro-business question is SQ 734. It exempts property taxes on goods that are shipped into the state, but which do not remain in the state for more than 90 days. It is often called a freeport exemption and...