A one-off is something that is done or made or occurs just once. A Washington State caller who’s curious about the term learns that it derives from manufacturing lingo. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Etymology of One-Off” Hello...
We hear the word maverick a lot lately, but where did this term for a stubborn nonconformist come from? Martha tells the story of the Texas politician who inspired the word, and whose grandson apparently coined another familiar English word...
This week’s Slang This! contestant, John Schwaller, president of the State University of New York at Potsdam, ponders the possible meanings of the terms donk and “Baltimore wrench.” He offers his own favorite slang term, “snow snake.” This is part...
thirds n.— «The government has apprehension that ban on arrack sale might trigger of seconds and thirds in liquor trade. (Seconds in excise parlance means non-duty paid liquor and thirds is cheap quality liquor).» —“State all set ban arrack from...
Tsunami Tuesday n. February 5, 2008, a day that many US states will hold primary elections; Super-Duper Tuesday. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
super-duper Tuesday n.— «As Kirk pitched the rules proposed by the Fairness Commission at four regional DNC caucuses yesterday, he also said critics of a move to create a “super-duper Tuesday” of primaries and caucuses in early March were sounding...
