What’s a Luddite? Martha explains that this term for “someone resistant to technological change” has its roots in a form of populist rage in the early 19th century. This is part of a complete episode.
Hey, hey, hey! It's another fat newsletter from "A Way with Words"! We never run out of things to talk about. Take this past weekend's show, for example. We tracked down the history of "Polly wanna cracker." It turns out...
dark green adj.— «Some environmental funds, for example, only invest in clean-technology companies promoting a cleaner environment; such funds are often known as “dark green.”» —“With ethical stocks struggling, is it time...
weisure n.— «“Weisure,” Conley’s term for our increasing tendency to work during leisure time, thanks to advances in portable personal technology.» —“Why We Work More For Less” by Gilbert Cruise Time Jan...
This week’s “Slang This!” contestant, from Cold Spring, Kentucky, tries to tease out the real slang words from the fake ones. Rubber-bands or herkies? An executive handle or a producer’s button? This is part of a complete...
Uh-oh. Your credit card’s missing. As you frantically search for it, your mind fast-forwards through the bad things that could happen if it’s been stolen. Then, to your enormous relief, you find the card. Is there a specific word for the...