In the Eastern and Southern United States, freezing rain that leaves everything covered with ice is simply known as an ice storm. In the Pacific Northwest, this sort of freezing rain goes by a more poetic name: silver thaw. This is part of a...
Marianne in Grants Pass, Oregon, first heard skookum after moving from Texas to Sitka, Alaska. The adjective, now chiefly heard in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, comes from Chinook Jargon, a contact language drawing on Chinook, Nootka, English...
Niesey from Laramie, Wyoming, is curious about the word mucky-muck, meaning “an important person,” and often “someone self-important.” Usually spelled muckety-muck, or muckamuck, it’s associated with the Chinook jargon of the Pacific Northwest, in...
In the Pacific Northwest, the term spendy means “expensive.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Spendy” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Joseph, downtown San Diego. Well, Joseph, welcome to the...
nails n.pl.— «After learning the game on plastic cleats, most golfers stick with them as they turn pro. Often referred to as “nails” by players and suppliers, metal spikes are permitted throughout Europe and at a handful of...