When it comes to language, who’s the decider? Grant explains how grammar rules develop. Also, what’s tarantula juice, and what’s the difference between a muffin top and a smiley? We discuss these and other terms from Green’s...
This week’s language headlines include the publication of new slang dictionary, and an entire book devoted to that tiny piece of punctuation, the period, and a tip-off about audio recordings of famous authors whose voices would otherwise be...
Our hosts bandy about some more political slang terms and explain their meaning and origin. Or did you already know the difference between a moonbat and a wingnut? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Moonbat vs. Wingnut”...
This week’s slang contestant learns about the slang terms blue-bird and corpsing. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Blue-Bird for an Easy Sale and Corpsing for Laughing on Set” You’re listening to A Way with...
broheim n. brother; friend, buddy. Also broham, brougham, or (rarely) broheem. Editorial Note: This term was recently popularized by the movie A History of Violence. Etymological Note: The Berkeley High School Slang Dictionary (2004, North Atlantic...
fifi n. a masturbatory substitute for a vagina. Also fifi bag, fifi towel. Editorial Note: Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang, edited by Jonathan Green, dates the term fifi bag to the 1960’s and connects it to the adjective fifi ‘effeminate,’ giving both...