What is a madcap comedy? A fan of classics like Bringing up Baby wonders about the origin of the term. Martha explains that years ago, the word cap sometimes referred to one’s “head.” So if someone’s “madcap,” they’re crazy in the head. And of...
goldfishing n.— «The day I am in the studio, the report on the opposition’s activities features just one politician talking in an interview. But you don’t hear his words. He is, in TV parlance, goldfishing: you can see his lips move but only hear...
half-tour Harry n.— «They’ve got a difficult decision to make. But if he does come home, he’s only three months in to a sixth-month tour. There is that term for someone who doesn’t last his full time—‘half-tour Harry”—and if he does come back I’m...
spaghetti tag n.— «The Alaska Department of Fish and Game tagged the shark Foy caught with what is known as a spaghetti tag in Prince William Sound in 1999. She is No. 990432 and was tagged with about 230 other sharks that year.» —“Scientist nets...
fart in a mitten n.— «Many, many thanks (personal to follow) to all who helped me clarify a list of potential sayings for my Prince Edward Island collection.…busy as a fart in a mitten.» —“Offensive sayings ‘from’ PEI” by TPratt ADS-L Nov. 23, 1994...
fart in a mitten n.— «I could not bear to cut any of this out, you did a helluva good job and because the whole god damned thing started over a fart in a mitten made by me I can truthfully confirm that you have the meat of the situation down...