Why does the expression in spades mean “in abundance”? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “In Spades Meaning and Origin” Hey there, you have A Way with Words. Hello, Martha. This is Paul McDowell from South Bend, Indiana. Hey, Paul...
Bill calls from Bulverde, Texas, to discuss the word for a technique his Indiana-born family used to get the sluggish last bit of ketchup out of a bottle. They’d add a bit of water, and say they were wabashing it. What possible connection would the...

