What exactly is a planet? Controversy over this question led to Pluto’s redefinition, along with a brand-new English word. And: Some people now use the phrase all the things! to mean and whatnot or you know what I mean. This new sense of all...
Andrea, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, hears all the things from friends and co-workers as a shorthand for and whatnot or you know, a way to say that the listener can fill in the rest. The phrase likely owes something to Allie Brosh’s 2010 post on...
Vicki from New York City asks about catch you on the flip side, a parting phrase meaning “see you later.” The flip side originally referred to the B side of a vinyl record, especially a 45, but the fuller expression is best documented during the...
Is it time to replace the expression “the mentally ill”? Some argue the term unfairly stigmatizes a broad range of people. Also, the winter sport of… skitching, which involves snowy roads, leather shoes — and car bumpers...
The word whatnot has seen a resurgence in the last few years, especially on Twitter and whatnot. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Social Media Whatnot” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, this is Peter Smith from San...
Mary Kay in Plano, Texas, got dinged by her boss for ending a list with whatnot, as in “travel or business or whatnot.” The word is a loose equivalent of etcetera, and the sense comes from the idea of “what would not be included.” Some dictionaries...