We hear the word maverick a lot lately, but where did this term for a stubborn nonconformist come from? Martha tells the story of the Texas politician who inspired the word, and whose grandson apparently coined another familiar English word...
skin area n.— «It was more than 40 miles to the destroyed zone by ruck march, a forced troop march carrying gear and armaments which can weigh in excess of 100 pounds. The term used to describe the region of the country is the “skin...
cascaron n.— Note: Cascarón is Spanish for “eggshell.” «In late April, tiny pastel bits of a giant San Antonio party show up everywhere: trickling from your hair, embedded in the carpet under your desk, stuck to your furniture...
late train n.— «Haass recounted how the special interest donations start flowing to incumbents as soon as they are elected. All the people who supported the council member’s opponent get on the “late train,” as it is called...
heavy chalk n.— «Vegas has installed the San Antonio Spurs as prohibitive favorites, or “heavy chalk” in the industry parlance, to win their fourth title in eight years. The spread for Game 1 in San Antonio iniitally favored...
woollybooger n.— «Woolly-booger is cowboy talk for any wild revelry. San Antonio is going to start its annual Fiesta, or woollybooger, on April 21.» —“Definitely” Evening Sentinel (Holland, Michigan) June 14...