in-law unit
n.— «As part of sweeping zoning changes, the city council will decide next month whether to increase the number of homesites that could add garage apartments or cottages, commonly referred to as granny or in-law units.» —“P.A. considers allowing more ‘granny’ units” by Kellie Schmitt, Dan Stober Mercury News (San Jose, California) Mar. 27, 2005. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Katie in Everett, Washington, is curious about the expression If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there’d be no need for tinkers. What is a tinker? She heard this phrase on the television series The Gilded Age, in response to a character who...
Book recommendations and the art of apology. Martha and Grant share some good reads, including an opinionated romp through English grammar, a Spanish-language adventure novel, an account of 19th-century dictionary wars, and a gorgeously illustrated...