Linda in Salisbury, North Carolina, wonders why boxing is called the sweet science, since there’s nothing obviously sweet about a bruising sport. This term took hold among British sportswriters in the early 19th century as promoters tried to frame...
How do you decide when to use a comma? One strategy is to read your writing aloud and decide what sounds best. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “When to Use Commas” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Bubby Valentino...
If you’re not late for something, you could say that you’re in good season. This phrase, which shows up in Noah Webster’s dictionaries from the 1820s, derives from the agricultural state of fruits and vegetables being in season. Instead of referring...
Hot traffic talk! A caller is looking for a word for the point at which you have to reach in order to make it through a stoplight before it turns red.
gun time n.— «A similar issue arose at the Chicago Marathon two weeks ago, when Wesley Korir of Kenya finished fourth, despite starting five minutes after the elite runners. Like O’Connell, his time was clear because of the electronic timing chips...
late train n.— «In order to communicate, it helps to be on the right side, said Bob Cozean, a Houston-based real estate developer who, with partner Pat Gilbert, has contributed $15,000 to White’s re-election campaign. “As opposed to taking a late...
