Lee from Philadelphia’s green Amazon parrot is named Alexander Hamilton, not Polly, but strangers still greet him with Polly want a cracker? The joke is old: Poll was a nickname for parrots as far back as the 1600s, and by 1848 the cracker line was...
If you want to claim something—say, the front seat of a car or the last piece of cake—what do you say? Dibs? Boney? How about “I hosey that!”? The hosts talk about this New England expression, its possible origins, and its equivalent in...
surface subway n.— «One thing that Aaron should absolutely be ashamed of himself for is his use of the phrase “surface subway.” Subways and elevated trains speed people along because they’re grade-separated. You just can’t go...
BRT n.— «The top priority has to be the creation of a citywide bus rapid-transit network, known in transportation circles as B.R.T.» —“I Want a Nice Big Imitation Steak” Cap’n Transit Rides Again Jan. 19, 2009...
credit n.— «Healthy banks took the money. Who wouldn’t accept what an addled rich uncle was giving away. But banks are in the business of lending. And thus what they really want are what are known in the trade as “good credits”—credit...
choreplay n.— «Forget crimson roses and chocolates. Grab a broom. Unload the dishwasher. Play with the kids. Now, that’s hot. That’s choreplay.» —“Want to get your woman in the mood? Try doing housework” by Helena...
