Why does the expression in spades mean “in abundance”? This is part of a complete episode.
For 341 years, the poets laureate of Britain have all been male. That just changed with the appointment of Britain’s new poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. Her work has been described as “dealing with the darkest turmoil and the lightest...
stationery wardrobe n.— «Ms. Kargman, the author of social satires like “The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund,” out this spring, is not only conversant with the phrase “stationery wardrobe,” she has one of her own. It includes miniature raspberry...
Does the expression “call a spade a spade” have racist roots? Martha explains that it derives from an ancient Greek phrase, but cautions against its use nevertheless. This is part of a complete episode.
gardentoolism n.— «Call a spade a spade, rather than attacking it as a manifestation of the dangerous ideology of gardentoolism.» —“Comment is free: The demagogic cliches of right and left can only make things worse” by...