Evelyn in Wilmington, North Carolina, says that when she and her older sister were sassy to their parents, her mother would say either You’re getting too big for your britches or I’m going to bring you down a buttonhole lower. The former makes...
Lisa in Wilmington, North Carolina, grew up hearing her grandmother warn, “We’re not going to have any who struck John in this house,” meaning stop the cutting up and settle down. Traditionally, who struck John refers to a pointless argument over...
Alicia from Wilmington, North Carolina, says she grew using the word allow to mean “say” or “declare.” Sometimes rendered simply as ’low, this expression has been used since at least the 18th century. Another form meaning “to admit” is allow as how...
Calisa in Wilmington, North Carolina, wonders about the origin of the term fair to middling, meaning “about average.” It derives from an old system of classifying agricultural products. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “”Fair to...
snag golf n.— «Future duffers are being taught through physical education classes at the schools using Velcro balls and targets in what is called snag golf.» —“Golfers in training” by Ginny Peterson Star-News (Wilmington, North Carolina) Apr. 15...
friendraiser n.— «That event wasn’t a fundraiser—its tickets of $60 per person or $90 per couple, she says, went entirely to cover costs—but was what arts development professionals have taken to calling a “friendraiser.” It’s meant to increase the...