Word nerd Ammon Shea quit his job as a furniture mover in New York City to spend an entire year reading the entire Oxford English Dictionary. The result, in addition to eyestrain, headaches, and skeptics’ puzzlement, was Shea’s new book...
blue jacking n.— «At the age of 10 he sold newspapers in downtown Toledo.…They didn’t have a normal paper route like most kids, delivering to the same house every day in nice, quiet neighborhoods. This young boy and his friend...
seat racing n.— «In rowing, boats qualify for their country based on performance at events like the world championships and other Olympic qualifiers, then the athletes compete for seats in the boats. The process, known as “seat...
tridem n.— «The non-steering wheels in front of the “bogies” are called “pusher axles” and wheels behind the “bogies” are called “tag axles.” They are single wheels. And they are for wieght...
bogie n.— «The non-steering wheels in front of the “bogies” are called “pusher axles” and wheels behind the “bogies” are called “tag axles.” They are single wheels. And they are for wieght...
Kelly shift n.— «Under what is known as the “Kelly shift,” adopted by the Fire Department in 1969, firefighters worked a 27-day rotation consisting of one 24-hour shift, followed by 48 hours off. After repeating that cycle...