Quiz Guy John Chaneski’s puzzle is about common bonds that connect three things. For example, what’s the one word that links the following trio of terms? A report card, USDA inspected beef, and an incline. This is part of a complete episode...
Author Stephen King’s book On Writing is an excellent guide to the craft. In it, he warns that “the road to hell is paved with adverbs.” Much other writing advice also says to cut adverbs, and even adjectives. But is that truly good advice? Grant...
In Ireland, the word omadhaun means “a foolish person.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Omadhaun” Not often that I’m reading a newspaper article that sends me running to the dictionary, but I had to recently for the word amadan. O...
I’m feeling punk means feeling a bit ill, out of sorts, or queasy, not necessarily bedridden. Tom in Council Bluffs, Iowa, heard it from his grandmother, born in 1899, and wondered how it connects with the punk used to light fireworks. Both trace...
“We’re off like a dirty shirt” indicates the speaker is “leaving right away” or “commencing immediately.” Similar phrases include “off like a prom dress” and “off like a bride’s nightie.” All of them suggest haste, urgency, and speed. This is part...
Teaching our children, and some advice for writers. Suppose your child is eager to tackle a difficult subject–ancient Greek, for example–but you know his reach exceeds his grasp? The challenge is to support the child’s curiosity without squelching...