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Episode 1515

Colonial English

The anatomy of effective prose, and the poetry of anatomy. Ever wonder what it’d be like to audit a class taught by a famous writer? A graduate student’s essay offers a taste of a semester studying with author Annie Dillard. Also, what...

Gruntled and Disgruntled

Nathan, a sailor at the United States Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, reports a vigorous dispute among his fellow servicemembers: Is gruntled a word? Nathan feels gruntled must be a word, arguing that it’s clearly the opposite of disgruntled...

Red Sky at Night

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky at morning, sailor take warning.” Martha talks about this weather proverb, which has been around in one form or another since ancient times. This is part of a complete episode.

sandbox sailor

sandbox sailor  n.— «The official term for Navy people in Army jobs is “individual augmentees” but they call themselves “sandbox sailors.”» —“A Long Way From The Sea” by Jennifer Grogan in Camp Bucca, Iraq  TheDay...

hurricane hole

hurricane hole  n.— «Antigua is, in sailor’s parlance, a “hurricane hole,” which sheltered the ships of Britain’s great naval hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson.» —“Sand ‘n’ sugar” by Betsa Marsh Indiana...