A San Diego woman who’s homeschooling her children wonders if there’s a formula that explains why nouns like teacher and writer end in “er,” while others, like professor and conductor, end in “or.” She suspects it has to do with whether the words...
wellderly adj.— «She first became interested in designing clothing for older, active women, who Kapstein refers to as, “Wellderly women,” about 10 years ago when she recognized their need for fashionable, functional clothing.» —“URI professor cites...
A retired theater professor wants to know why she keeps hearing the word dramaturge used in surprising new ways. Is dramaturged now a legitimate verb? Can the noun also refer to someone who adapts a play for particular production—and not just to the...
beer track n.— «That’s because Maryland, said Thomas Schaller, associate professor of political science at University of Maryland Baltimore County, has become a “wine track” state, similar to California, New Jersey and Connecticut, where incomes...
This week’s Slang This! contestant, a professor of medieval history at the University of Santa Cruz, tries to guess the meaning of the slang terms quizzam and snirt. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Quizzam and Snirt: Slang Blends...
Affrilachian adj.— «Finney is an associate professor of creative writing at the University of Kentucky and founding member of the Affrilachian Poets. “Affrilachian” is a term used to describe people of color living in the Appalacian region.» —“Poet...