Some teachers are using a controversial tactic to get young students reading: They let their pupils choose which books to read for class. Does it work? Also, should that line at the grocery store checkout read 15 items or less or fewer? And is the...
A law student wonders about the origin of the word widget. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Etymology of Widget” Hello, you have A Way with Words. Hi, my name’s Arela Wright from Indianapolis, Indiana, and I was wondering what the...
The hosts discuss two Obamafications: Obamanation and Obamination. Slate’s book and web widget include many Barack Obama-derived words in Obamamania!: The English Language, Barackafied. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...
floggle toggle n.— «I’ve been listening to The Navy Lark recently and noticed the writer occasional threw in some obscure but genuine naval slang for comic effect. One I’m a bit puzzled about is “floggle toggle.” It appears to be used as a...
