The saying a bad penny always turns up has been turning up in English since the 15th century, when counterfeit pennies would often surface in circulation. As pennies have lost their luster, the phrase has lived on; see the line “Don, my bad penny,”...
What do you name your baby if you want her to become a bank teller? “Penny.” And if it’s a boy? Try “Bill.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Bank-Teller Babies” Grant, I have another couple of ap-tronyms for you. Yes, please. You...
You might have heard Brits say “I’m going to spend a penny” when they have to visit the loo. The hosts discuss the reason for this phrase, and other euphemisms for making a trip to the toilet, such as “I’m going to visit Miss White” and “I’m going...
swoss n.— «The Civil Air Patrol was neither fish nor fowl, or as the local commander, George E. Haddaway termed it neither swans or gooses, swosses. While they did not officially belong to the armed services, its members were designated as...
sip ‘n’ puff n.— «Quadriplegic sailors such as Kevin Penny can also navigate the boat independently. Penny uses two straws to control the boat (what’s known as “sip ‘n’ puff”). One steers, the other moves the sails in and out.» —“Disability doesn’t...
off-off year n.— «The “off-off” year elections, as they are called, offer Fairfax County voters more choices than ever, as all 10 seats on the Board of Supervisors, 12 School Board positions, all the General Assembly positions (nine Senate seats...
