The noun bangs, meaning “hair cut straight across the forehead,” may derive from the idea of the word bang meaning “abruptly,” as in a bangtail horse whose tail is trimmed straight across. The verb curtail, meaning to...
To give free rein, meaning “to allow more leeway,” derives from the idea of loosening one’s grip on the reins of a horse. Some people mistakenly understand the term as free reign. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
A Georgia caller says when her grandfather had to make a sudden stop while driving, he’d yell “hold ‘er Newt, she smells alfalfa!” This phrase and variations like “hold ‘er Newt, she’s a-headin’ for...
Is it free reign or free rein? Ruling or riding? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Free Reign vs. Free Rein” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is David in Glen Arbor, Michigan. I have a question for you. All...
bright-line n.— «Bright-line guidance is what’s called for, not blocks to the progress of enforcement cases or their resolution.» —“SEC’s Cox Tightens Reins on Enforcement Division (Update1)” by Otis...