To garner the laurels, meaning “to collect praise” refers to the ancient practice of awarding crowns of bay laurel leaves to victors in competitions. This tradition of honoring distinction with such a wreath is reflected in the terms...
We hope that when it comes to conversation about language, you haven’t been sufficiently suffonsified, because there’s lots to talk about in this week’s archive episode. For starters, there’s the way some pets take a while to...
doughnut effect n.— «Asters are easily propagated by division in the early spring. Simply dig the clump up once the shoots appear in early May, and gently pull the crown apart. When they require dividing, you will notice new growth around...
rat goof n.— «In previous court appearances, Semchuk frequently hurled invectives at both the Crown and judge, often referring to them as “rat goofs” and “incompetent.”» —“Crown wants Semchuk deemed dangerous...
kuf n.— «In one conversation, Akbar suggested bombing the “kufs,” a derogatory term for non-Muslims, in a London nightclub. “The biggest nightclub in central London, no one can put their hands up and say they are...
box n.— «“Donks” are the street name for 1970s land barges like Caprices and Cadillacs, riding on 22-inch-plus wheels. The 1980s versions, including Regals, Cutlasses and Crown Vics, are called “boxes.”» —“Donks...