Over the centuries, the meaning of happiness has traveled a long way. Today we speak of the pursuit of happiness, but it used to be that the word happiness suggested something that occurs only by chance–something that simply… happens. Plus, the joys...
The slang term boondocking refers to camping off-grid in an RV without a hookup to water, electrical power, or a sewer. The -docking element in the word also gave rise to Crackerdocking, which is “boondocking in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel”...
The slang term doorknobbing denotes an extended leave-taking, as when someone says “Goodbye,” but keeps coming up with one more thing to say. Sharon in Wind River, Wyoming, shares a story about someone who used to respond to such a person with If...
A Nevada listener says her mother used to ask her to collect the pearls after a meal, meaning “gather up all the unused dishes and utensils that didn’t need to be washed.” In Australian slang, such an item is often called a sunbeam. This is part of...
Whether it’s a Rubik’s cube or a round of Wordle, why do so many of us find puzzles irresistible? A new book celebrates the allure and psychological benefits of brain teasers. Plus, powerful language for talking about the chronic...
Every subculture has its own secret lingo, whether you’re talking about surfers, cab drivers, or coffee-shop baristas. A new book uncovers the slang of everyone from stunt performers to department-store Santas and more. Plus, why is English so darn...