Nip it in the bud
Stop that this instant. Dear Word Detective: My husband’s grandmother, who lived to be 99-1/2, always used the phrase “just nip it in the bud.” We were wondering where this originated. I know I can...
View ArticleFair / Fare
This way to the Egress. Dear Word Detective: While watching the weather forecast, my wife and I saw a tagline that said “Heavy rains lower fair prices.” As we had the TV muted, we couldn’t be sure...
View ArticlePhony
The ring of hooey. Dear Word Detective: Why is something bogus referred to as being “phony”? I hope this has a more fascinating history than being the mispronunciation of an old Gaelic malt beverage...
View ArticleLitter
Oh look. It clumps. We’ll change our name to Arm & Leg. Dear Word Detective: I’m wondering how the word “litter” came to mean two things that are pretty much opposites: something tossed away...
View ArticleParting shot / Parthian shot
A stand-in that fills the bill. Dear Word Detective: In many a novel I’ve read of people delivering a “parting shot” in the form of “a threat, insult, condemnation, sarcastic retort, or the like,...
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Gymnopedie
Speaking of weirdos. Dear Word Detective: This afternoon, while a couple of my friends and I were waiting around before a choir rehearsal, trying to remember the steps to a Baroque dance we had...
View ArticleLong chalk
Not bloody likely. Dear Word Detective: In books written by English authors, I have come across the phrase “not by a long chalk.” This seems to mean the same thing as the American “not by a long...
View ArticleCull
No, I might need that someday. That too. Dear Word Detective: I was writing an email today, and used the phrase “cull out.” Not being sure whether it is used in a positive sense (e.g., “we culled...
View ArticleBack-to-back
The hits just keep on coming. Dear Word Detective: What is the provenance of the expression “back-to-back” (with or without hyphens)? It is used to mean “consecutive,” which it has nearly driven from...
View ArticleHawk one’s wares
Or maybe they work there and can’t afford an apartment. Dear Word Detective: What is the meaning of the phrase “to hawk their wares”?– Lisa. Is this about me selling my books in the Wal-Mart parking...
View ArticleFull-fledged
Dear Word Detective: I was recently reading a journal of mine from when I was a good bit younger than today and found that I had used the phrase “full fledged” to refer to a rather robust beard, as...
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March 2010 Issue
Semper Ubi Sub Ubi readme: Whew. That was close. It’s still March, right? It must be, somewhere. Australia? By the way (he said, deftly changing the subject), is anyone else still creeped out by...
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