Brian in Dallas, Texas, wants to know the origin of the skinny as in “all the details and information.” This expression may go all the way back to slang used at the U.S. Naval Academy in the early 1900s. This is part of a complete...
Bobbie in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, wonders about the expression What’s the lowdown?, meaning “What’s happening?” Lowdown, meaning “the skinny,” “the scoop,” or “the details” originated in...
Sean, who is originally from Ireland, wonders if the term narrowback, which usually refers to second- or third-generation Irish-Americans, is considered a slur against the Irish. He also references an earlier conversation of ours about the term...
papped v.— «Super-skinny Teri Hatcher has been papped pounding the pavements with dumbbells in hand, making sure her forearms stay as trim as her pipe-cleaner pins.» —“Armed And Dangerous” Sky Showbiz June 1, 2005...
iliac furrow n.— «“I am filled with bitter resentment and burning envy at the sight of this young fellow’s pronounced iliac furrow.”…“There is reason to envy someone skinny enough to have such a pronounced apollo’s belt...