watch the pass
v. phr.— «Another free thing that Nantucketers have been taking advantage of for centuries is what is known as “watching the pass.” Also known as sitting on a bench downtown and getting a good look at the tourists and other folks. Hey, it’s much cheaper than cable. And it’s interactive.» —“YACK on: Free” by Grant Sanders Nantucket Independent (Massachusetts) May 30, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
We have books for language-lovers and recommendations for history buffs. • How did the word boondoggle come to denote a wasteful project? The answer involves the Boy Scouts, a baby, a craft project, and a city council meeting. • Instead of reversing...
The French expression peigner la girafe means to do a useless, tedious, or annoying job, but literally translates as “to comb the giraffe.” That’s one of the many gems in Mark Abley’s new book Watch Your Tongue: What Our...