old man’s friend
n.— «Until recent times, most of us, when we died, died at home, surrounded by family and friends. Death often came with merciful rapidity. Pneumonia was commonly referred to as “the old man’s friend.”» —“Legalize the right to die in peace?” by Arthur Schafer Globe and Mail Jan. 17, 1984. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Unwrap the name of a candy bar, and you just might find a story inside. For instance, one chewy treat found in many a checkout lane is named after a family’s beloved horse. And: 50 years ago in the United States, some Latino elementary...
It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when people disagreed over the best word to use when answering the phone. Alexander Graham Bell suggested answering with ahoy! but Thomas Edison was partial to hello! A fascinating new book about...