A Way with Words

The One-Finger Salute

Posted by grantbarrett on October 31, 2009 · Add Comment

What do English bowmen, the French, and lopped-off digits have to do with the classic middle-finger insult? Absolutely nothing. A San Diego truck driver wonders about the true origin of the one-finger salute. There’s a great debunking of the English archers story here. This is part of a complete episode.

Knoxvegas

Posted by Grant Barrett on June 6, 2008 · Add Comment

Knoxvegas n.— «The city, the third largest in Tennessee behind Nashville and Memphis, is also referred to as Knoxpatch, Knoxvegas and for those prone to irony and finger pistols, K-town, baby.» —“36 Hours in Knoxville” by Allison Glock in Tennessee New York Times June 8, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

puddle up

Posted by Grant Barrett on May 27, 2008 · Add Comment

puddle up v. phr.— «Days after the filming of a climactic, emotional scene, people on the set were still marveling at Kodi’s performance. A couple said they had puddled up just from watching the monitor and needed to sneak a tear-dabbing finger behind their sunglasses.» —“At World’s End, Honing a Father-Son Dynamic” by Charles Mcgrath in Erie, Pennsylvania New York [...]

We Pinkie-Swear

Posted by Grant Barrett on November 26, 2007 · Add Comment

Fellow wordivas and wordudes, This week on A Way with Words we start a brand-new season! To celebrate, we noodled with anagrams, including the one in the title of this episode. Listen here. Also on the show: A New York City schoolteacher asks, “Why do we call our little finger a pinkie?” and relates his [...]

bluebird

Posted by Grant Barrett on July 7, 2007 · Add Comment

bluebird n.— «In sales lingo, bluebirds are those opportunities that fly in the window with the salesperson not having to lift a finger. In some sourcing deals I do, I get the opportunity to deliver bluebirds—at least get some vendors in the long list.» —“To Kill a Bluebird” by Vinnie Mirchandani deal architect (Florida) Jan. 15, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

finger trouble

Posted by Grant Barrett on July 4, 2007 · Add Comment

finger trouble n.— «The same quality has been designated “systematic diligence” elsewhere. Some radar observers exhibit “finger trouble” in tuning…» —by Stuart W. Cook Psychological research on radar observer training , 1947. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

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The One-Finger Salute

Knoxvegas

puddle up

finger trouble