What exactly is gobbledygook, and where does the word come from? Texas Congressman Maury Maverick coined the word in 1944 to describe the frustrating jargon used by policymakers in Washington. It reminded him of the sound of turkeys gobbling...
The third edition of Bryan Garner’s book, Modern American Usage is now out. Grant explains why it’s a wonderful reference to consult, even when you disagree with it. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Modern American Usage, Third...
We hear the word maverick a lot lately, but where did this term for a stubborn nonconformist come from? Martha tells the story of the Texas politician who inspired the word, and whose grandson apparently coined another familiar English word...
ploddledygook n.— «Such terms are among a long list of needless police jargon—or “ploddledygook”—which should be ditched, according to the Plain English Campaign.» —“Do You Speak Ploddledygook? The Police Force Jargon That Should Be Banned” This is...