The dated term “jingoism” denotes a kind of belligerent nationalism but the word’s roots lie in an old English drinking-house song that was popular during wartime. Speaking of fightin’ words, the expression “out the side of...
In rugby and soccer to kick into touch means to “kick a ball out of play.” The phrase by extension is used in British English mean to “take some kind of action so that a decision is postponed” or otherwise get rid of a...
A Canadian listener’s boyfriend has a special talent. He can remove his socks, roll them up, and throw them across the room into the laundry basket, all with his toes. She says he has toe dexterity, but wonders if the word dexterous can apply...
pencil plane n.— «The last leg of the trip was by “pencil plane,” as he called it, and he landed in the teeth of one of the worst storms of the season on Dec. 15.» —“Singh aims to put footprint on regional soccer...
squirrel-gripping n.— «Unfortunately none of the reports I’ve seen have explained the chair-sniffing incident, which just has to have a story behind it. Buswell has, however, been accused of grabbing the testicles of MP Murray Cowper...
rage cage n.— «So another grant from the NSW Premier’s Department and the council in 2003 financed at the back of the estate a “rage cage”—a small cement court with a basketball ring and soccer goal. Parents have taken to...