A caller wonders if the Spanish and Arabic articles el and al spring from the same linguistic root. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Spanish and Arabic Article Roots” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, how are you...
trophy jacket
n.— «Embellished, beaded, military or brocade—trophy jackets are spring/summer 2009’s mush have fashion piece.» —“Trophy Jackets” Vogue.com Spring/Summer, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
riffed adj.—Gloss: Laid off via a reduction in force (RIF). «TUSD rehires 88% of riffed teachers […] Last spring TUSD gave pink slips to 562 teachers. This summer it rehired 498 of them.» —“TUSD rehires 88% of riffed...
barbecue summer n.— «After the spring bounce, summer has been a washout for investors. Those of us who were hoping for a barbecue summer on the bourses have been left staring glumly at cloudy skies.» —“After the summer washout...
harlotfest n.— Note: A plausible etymology: “It’s called the ‘Harlot Fest’ out of an old rugby tradition about rugby whores. A rugby whore is someone who will go to a tournament & play for any team who will take...
bubble capital n.— «Bank PHB was also accused of having resorted to illegalities in the acquisition bid as two-thirds of the 33 per cent it claimed were “rejected” and “warehoused” shares. The rejected shares, also referred to as “bubble...