Photo by bcostin.

Grant goes through the mailbag, offering answers about the terms “nosy parker,” “out of pocket,” and about whether the word “falsehood” has its origins in medieval garb. He also throws a question out to listeners about what is supposedly a mild British oath, “butternut!”

Read the original blog post and listen to this episode.

Read the original blog post and listen to this episode.

Dilettante, we heard from a linguist who suggested something similar, so maybe you’re on to something. I guess it’d be along the lines of saying, “Oh, FUDGE!”

OTOH, I think “butternut” is just a funny word, period! Sort of reminds me of Spanish speakers saying, “Caracoles!” or “Snails!” instead of “drat.”