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 problem. This is part of a...
Apparently, in English-speaking places outside North America, American football is sometimes jokingly called handegg or hand-egg, a jab at a sport named football even though the ball is carried and shaped more like an egg. The contrast is with the...
How about some wind pudding with a dollop of air sauce? What’s in a tavern sandwich? Do pregnant women really crave pickles and ice cream? Grant and Martha dig in to colorful language from the world of food. Plus, ever think of publishing a novel...
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 to...
Martha and Grant discuss some other Word of the Year candidates, including hockey mom and hypermiling. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Hypermiling” Hockey mom will probably be another big word of the year choice for a lot of...
Aerial ping-pong: Is it a new Olympic sport? A less intense version of tonsil hockey? Martha reveals the meaning of this Australian English term. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Aerial Ping-Pong” Martha, I bet you have more quiz...