In an earlier episode, Martha explained the origin of the expression to boot, meaning “in addition” or “besides.” That prompted an email from a listener wanting to know why we speak of booting a computer. Grant has the answer. This is part of a...
If English isn’t your first language, there are lots of ways to learn it, such as memorizing Barack Obama’s speech to the 2004 Democratic Convention. Martha and Grant talk about some of the unusual ways foreigners are learning to speak English...
woodie n.— «At the moment, I was committed to Lightning Racer, a gorgeous, spaghetti-framed dueling woodie (that’s coaster-speak for a wooden coaster) that lifts you high above the lush landscape of Hersheypark.» —“A Good Old-Fashioned Thrill...
ploddledygook n.— «Such terms are among a long list of needless police jargon—or “ploddledygook”—which should be ditched, according to the Plain English Campaign.» —“Do You Speak Ploddledygook? The Police Force Jargon That Should Be Banned” This is...
rent-a-quote n.— «Roy Keane has been labelled a “rent-a-quote” manager by former Ireland midfielder Eamon Dunphy. “I know Roy well and he hated all that manager-speak,” Dunphy said. “Now he holds these lengthy press conferences. It’s sad to see Roy...
refarming n.— «The European Commission has decided to reallocate parts of the radio spectrum used for 2G services and use by 3G services. The process is known in telco-speak as “refarming,” and will, according to the operators, open up 3G services...