Marley in Indianapolis, Indiana, is arguing with her friends over whether the word scrappy is positive or negative. The answer depends on context. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Is “Scrappy” a Positive or Negative Word?” Hello...
The phrase “don’t cabbage that,” meaning “don’t steal that,” may derive from the old practice of tailors’ employees taking scraps of leftover fabric, which, gathered up in one’s hands, could resemble a pile of cabbage leaves. This is part of a...
sleepover n.— «Ohio’s elections chief is reconsidering a plan to prohibit poll workers from taking voting machines home for safekeeping in the days before the November presidential election. Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner announced plans in...
mungo v.— Note: A verb form of the noun mongo. «Such works and many like them are cast in bronze, an alloy of copper and tin that is particularly durable. They could easily take on time and weather, but not a strong market in scrap metal. “Entire...
scrap fever n.— «A fence was cannibalized by vandals at Ravine pool, and the pump room at Collins Pool—which the city will not open this year but could have used for parts—was stripped of metal.…Scrap fever, as it is sometimes called, has also...
scrap rate n.— «Warner said she has even customers asking her to appraise a roll of nickels for the metal content. But because most dealers pay for what is known as the scrap rate of the day, would-be sellers might not be making quite the pretty...

