Animals leave their footprints in several English words, including chatoyant, or “shimmering like a cat’s eyes” and sleuth, which is short for sleuth-hound, a kind of bloodhound used for sniffing out prey. Pets have also inspired...
Cindy in Spokane, Washington, says her father would bid his loved ones good-bye by saying tap ’er light. The phrase comes from miners’ slang of the early 1900s and is a gentle admonition to take care to avoid cave-ins or prematurely detonating...
hyphenate n.— «Writers are free to negotiate for higher pay, and people who produce or co-produce—called “hyphenates” in industry parlance—earn more.» —“Reality Shows on Tap if Writers Strike” by Lynn Elber...
tap out v. phr.— «Once, in a match with Kazushi Sakuraba of Japan, Mr. Gracie refused to “tap out,” or submit, despite being in an iron hold. Mr. Gracie let his own arm snap.» —“A Kinder, Gentler (but Not by Much) Brand of...
till-tapper n.— «A serial “till tapper” is on the loose, Opelika police said. Till tapping is the term used to describe someone who snatches money from a cash register.» —“He’s Been Known to Tap a Till or...
make it rain v. phr.— «Frequenting strip clubs in Atlanta, such as Magic City, the Blue Flame, Body Tap and the now-defunct Gentleman’s Club, has become almost a religion, making adult entertainment one of the most profitable businesses...