Search found 8468 matches
- Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:02 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: cracker
- Replies: 11
- Views: 5543
cracker
In Britain, 'cracker' is a slang term that is often applied to a sexually desirable young woman, giving rise to the popular Christmastime double entendre, 'pulling a cracker'.
- Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:38 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: red state, blue state
- Replies: 16
- Views: 10213
red state, blue state
Shelley, I found the following info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_flag : "It is known that from about 1300, Norman ships would fly red streamers to indicate that they would "take no quarter" in battle. This meaning continued into the 17th century, by which time the flag had been adopted by pir...
- Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:53 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: origin of "jibe"
- Replies: 10
- Views: 4706
origin of "jibe"
Edwin, what do you suggest regarding people who have elephants eye your sis?
- Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:33 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: paper mill
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1557
paper mill
PS -- That would be the typical response of a paper millionaire.
- Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:27 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: pasty vs pastie
- Replies: 34
- Views: 10366
pasty vs pastie
Bob, Could you not telephone your pub landlord and ask him to send you some recuperative liquid relief by express barmaid to speed your recovery? Killing two birds while getting stoned, you could also check the Cornish pronunciation of 'pasty' with him over the phone. Then report back to us while yo...
- Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:30 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Guitar - Ax
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3703
Guitar - Ax
I too am crossing myself with disbelief.
- Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:41 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: rampant use of the word "robust"
- Replies: 8
- Views: 6287
rampant use of the word "robust"
Schwarzenegger didn't have much luck at the polls yesterday following his "California robust" campaign. I guess it's back to plain ol' "bust".
- Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:38 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Reapt or Reaped
- Replies: 12
- Views: 4989
Reapt or Reaped
But I really didn't do nothing!
- Wed Nov 09, 2005 7:35 am
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: pasty vs pastie
- Replies: 34
- Views: 10366
pasty vs pastie
Apart from making me hungry, all this talk of Finnish-Cornish hybrid pasties has led me to another thought, namely: Is it beyond the wit of man to invent a pastry-based edible-cum-wearable accoutrement for strippers? The need is obvious.
- Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:41 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Origin/History "FU**"
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2940
Origin/History "FU**"
The archives of this site contain extensive discussions of the origins of this word, as the search tool will reveal.
- Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:33 pm
- Forum: Miscellaneous
- Topic: Not enough English?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 7979
Not enough English?
Yes, of course those patients deserve the same level of care. But regardless of that theoretical point, in practice nurses who are effective verbal communicators are more likely to do a good job with the patients they are able to converse with than those with which they can't. It can boil down to su...
- Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:20 pm
- Forum: Miscellaneous
- Topic: Not enough English?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 7979
Not enough English?
If that's a journalist's question, you can expect a politician's answer.
- Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:17 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: Guitar - Ax
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3703
Guitar - Ax
Yes, Edwin, the ax was indeed originally a spring instrument; it was much favoured for its usefulness in the early days of the American West for facilitating the early release of prisoners from rural jails. Moreover, as Herbert Axelrod showed when he sold his collection of violins in 2003, springs a...
- Tue Nov 08, 2005 6:59 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: no entry
- Replies: 23
- Views: 10344
no entry
I positively have to oui-oui.
- Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:21 pm
- Forum: Word Origins and Meanings
- Topic: origin of "jibe"
- Replies: 10
- Views: 4706
origin of "jibe"
Careful, Russ! Such talk is liable to start Edwin off on the subject of shooting elephants in his pyjamas...