Howdy, pilgrims! This week in the A Way with Words podcast, discover the joys (and temptations!) of two new books of collected wisdom: "The Yale Book of Quotations" edited by Fred Shapiro, and James Geary's "Guide to the...
Discover the joys (and temptations!) of two new books of collected wisdom: “The Yale Book of Quotations” edited by Fred Shapiro, and James Geary’s “Guide to the World’s Great Aphorists.” Grant explains why leafing...
Steven Girard work n.— «Have you ever heard of “Steven Girard Work.” I’m told it is another way of saying “busy work.”» —“Stephen Girard Work” by John Walsh Usenet: alt.quotations Oct. 31...
hump strap n. a band, belt, rope, or similar long, narrow strip used for carrying heavy objects, especially on one’s back. Editorial Note: The most common way to use a hump strap is to wrap it once securely around the object to be moved, take each...
butter and egg racket n.— «He followed it by a six-city survey quoting records, officials and personal observations of the butter and egg racket. The game is a lottery played by low-income groups.…Bets are made on the butter and egg...
shadow ad n.— «It would be difficult to find a clearer example of the mingling of real news and advertising than the “watermark” ads The Times started offering in late September. Advertising images are printed faintly...