TagWashington, D.C.

toothpick rule

toothpick rule  n.— «Even so, awareness of the new law is so high that Parven Pomper Vice President Alixandria Lapp, for one, made sure to run its reception menu by a lawyer before taking it to the caterers. Under what is known as the...

bottom fisher

bottom fisher  n.— «Some of the new capital comes from what are called “bottom fishers”—investors who are willing to buy some of the dicey IOUs from banks at a healthy discount.» —“Is It Over?” by Irwin M...

Go Fly a Kite

“Go fly a kite!” A caller from Washington, D.C. wonders whose kite is getting flown and why. Naturally, we have some ideas! Here’s a copy of the cartoon Grant mentions (from the Chicago Tribune May 15, 1927, p. G2). This is part of...

Grey vs. Gray

A Washington, D.C. caller wonders whether there’s a difference between the words grey and gray. Do they designate exactly the same thing? Why are they spelled differently. This is part of a complete episode.

additionality

additionality  n.— «It raised a concern that industry insiders refer to as “additionality.” Some believe that in order for the offsets to be considered legitimate, companies or farms must use the money for the carbon offset purchases to...