If a Scotsman says he takes a scunner to something, he means it gives him a feeling of loathing or revulsion. Grant and Martha discuss this term’s possible origins. For more about the word scunner, check out the Dictionary of the Scots...
Scottish disease n.— «Where MS comes from and what triggers it remains a mystery, but it is believed to be at least partly hereditary. It is sometimes known as the “Scottish disease” as this country has the highest...
caravanger n.— Note: A blend of “caravan” and “anger.” «Tensions have been increased with the coining of the term “caravanger” to describe car drivers’ likely reaction to having more caravans to...
freemale n.— «Sex and the City’s acknowledgement that life could be good without a man in it, particularly if you were rich, led to a whole new generation of emancipated, moneyed women shouting loudly about just how much they loved their...
Ohio Ring n.— «The New York senator’s plan for victory revolves around duplicating her Ohio victory in four neighbouring states: the so-called Ohio Ring, of Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Each has the same rust-belt...
It’s the Moby Dick of etymology: Where do we get the phrase “the whole nine yards”? A pediatrician in North Carolina wonders if it derives from a World War II phrase involving “nine yards” of ammunition. Grant and...