A caller from Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, wonders about the origin of “knock on wood.” The hosts do, too. More about the unusual language of Ocracoke here. This is part of a complete episode.
In what part of the country would you be likely to hear momicking, meehonkey, and quamish?
dingbatter n.— «What is in the off-season a town of fewer than 800 self-styled “O’cockers” swells to as many as 8,000 “dingbatters”—the local term for off-islanders.» —“The Secret Is Out” by Eve...