Which came first, orange the color or orange the fruit? And what’s a busman’s holiday? Martha and Grant talk about bumbershoots, brollies, nursery rhymes, and alternatives to the word unicycle. Plus, an app-inspired quiz, favorite oxymorons, and the...
Rihanna’s hit “Umbrella” may not have had the same ring if she’d referred to being “under my bumbershoot.” Nonetheless, bumbershoot, bumberell, brolly, and bumbersol, among others, are all
What can go up a chimney down, but not down a chimney up? Martha has that riddle’s answer. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Chimney Riddle” Grant, I have a brain buster for you. Let her rip. Okay, what can go up a chimney down but...
The year 2008 produced a new acronym: PUMA. Grant explains how PUMAs began prowling the political landscape.
umbrella film n.— «Traditionally blockbuster and sequel films, or as they are called in the industry “umbrella films,” are planned to make the majority of profit for a company. These films are usually released during summer.» —“How much does hype...
third shift n.— «The simplest and most dramatic form of the problem is something that Asia-based investigators jocularly refer to as the “third shift,” the “midnight shift,” or the “ghost shift. Say a U.S. company orders 20,000 dresses from an...
