A woman in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, wonders: Why is the less busy period in a tourist area known as the shoulder season? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Shoulder Season” Hello, welcome to A Way with Words. Hi, this is Betsy. Hey...
What did you call the cliques in your high school? Were you a member of the nerds, the jocks, or maybe the grits or the heshers? Also, what’s the meaning of the phrase “rolling in the deep”? Why do we say something’s turned up like a bad penny? And...
You’ve noticed work seems to expand to fill the time given to complete it. But did you know there’s a term for that? Also this week, the New England exclamation “So don’t I!,” grey vs. gray, building storeys, being squiffy, having chops, getting...
raycation n.— «We’ve grown used to the word “staycation” but what about a “raycation”? That’s the term Huntingdon County is looking to bank on. The term was coined by the county’s visitors bureau. The county’s tourism industry brings in $56 million...
cuisine trail n.— «A plan to authorize more “cuisine trails,” including as many as 10 “apple trails” and 10 trails that could include several different foods and wines. The idea is to boost tourism and agriculture products.» —“Paterson’s signs...
Washington Monument ploy n.— «Cynics suggest the proposed park closings are merely a bargaining tactic, a way to gain leverage in getting the budget passed. There’s even a name for it in political circles: the “Washington Monument ploy.”...
