swish and spit n.— «It requires transoceanic vessels to dump ballast water at least 200 miles from shore. Those carrying no ballast must rinse their tanks with salt water, a process known as “swish and spit,” to kill organisms lurking in...
Which is correct for describing a close family resemblance: spittin’ image or spit and image? Grant and Martha discuss the possible origins of these expressions, including a recent hypothesis that’s sure to surprise. This is part of a...
spit-take
n.— «“I admire men like you, Mr. Heller.” I almost did a spit take. “Me?”» —by Max Allan Collins Stolen Away May 1, 1991. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
spit-take n. an exaggerated or surprised reaction in which someone violently expels a mouthful of liquid. Editorial Note: Thanks to Margaret Lethbridge Çejku for suggesting today’s entry. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
spit-take n.— «Yet, “after all I’ve done, what I’m most remembered for is the spit- take.” That’s the point in Make Room for Daddy when [Danny] Thomas would be sipping coffee, somebody would say something surprising, and he...
spit-take n.— «At dinnertime, they had to bring in the “spit-take’ rule. Nobody was allowed to talk to someone else at the table if that person had food in his mouth because it more than likely they would choke to death laughing...