If English isn’t your first language, there are lots of ways to learn it, such as memorizing Barack Obama’s speech to the 2004 Democratic Convention. Martha and Grant talk about some of the unusual ways foreigners are learning to speak...
It’s one of the biggest grammatical bugaboos of all, the one that bedevils even the most earnest English students: Is it lie or lay? Martha shares a trick for remembering the difference. See below for her clip-and-save chart of these verbs...
job blocker n.— «It’s no wonder that many tattooists themselves refer to them as “job blockers.” How can you take seriously anyone who has a fire-breathing winged serpent / the names of their three kids in sanskrit / the logo of a...
sleeved out adj.—Gloss: Related to the verb “to sleeve.” «Sometimes that can be a problem, especially if the men are “sleeved out”—a term used to describe tattoos which cover the arms.» —“Department of corrections job...
alleycat n.— «The Staten Island Invasion was a type of race known as an “alleycat,” a high-speed scavenger hunt that has become popular among messengers and bike enthusiasts around the country. Alleycats are like marathons for the anti...
Featherwood n.— «Maddox wore the word “Featherwood” tattooed on her wrist, a marking authorities say is associated with Skinhead activity, and sported a buzz hair cut with long, reddish-brown bangs hanging in front...

