The expression sky-blue pink is what’s known as a “fobbing off phrase,” a playful, nonsensical answer for when a child asks one too many questions. Variations include sky blue pink with a finny haddy border (the word haddy meaning “Scottish smoked...
An acclaimed poet’s tender poem about holding a newborn for the first time reflects a complex swirl of emotions. And: A caller finds that in her workplace, the expression out of pocket can mean very different things: either “being unavailable” or...
Words of wisdom from G.K. Chesterton: The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Want of Wonder” G.K. Chesterton is always good for a quotation. And...
You know that Yogi Berra quote about how Nobody ever comes here; it’s too crowded? Actually, the first person to use this was actress Suzanne Ridgeway, who appeared in several movies with The Three Stooges. A new book shows that many well...
Sarah in Fleming Island, Florida, is curious about the saying sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you, which suggests “it’s a dog-eat-dog world,” or “eat or be eaten,” or more gently, “you win...
Liam in San Francisco, California, emailed to share a passage from Donna Tartt’s novel, The Secret History (Bookshop|Amazon). It’s a sensuous description of the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn in Vermont. This is part of a complete...
