Slang vs. Literal According to Urban Dictionary, the slang meaning of “taking someone to school” is, “beating someone in a competition badly and thereby teaching them how it’s really done.” Ahh, but what if that someone is your 18 year-old son, and you really ARE “taking him to school” — in this case, to college halfway across the...Read More
It’s not unusual for the same word to have multiple meanings. “Aloha” is Hawaiian for both “hello” and “goodbye.” In Hebrew, “shalom” means “hello” and “goodbye” — and “peace.” But, no single English word I’m aware of has more protean meanings than the word “on.” I catalog no less than 27(!) discrete definitions. Consider: One. Throwing down the gauntlet...Read More
“He’s So Supercilious”: Compliment or Dis? Normally, when you think of the adjective “super,” you think in terms of . . . superlatives (see my point?). Examples include the Super Bowl; the Superdome (home of the New Orleans Saints football team); “Super size me!” (McDonalds old slogan — used to be the food; now, all...Read More
“Ball & Chain” vs. Source of Stability/Emotional Support A “contronym” is word that is its own antonym. Examples include the word “left” (“the gentlemen have left and the ladies are left”); and “off” (“to turn off,” but also “activate,” as in “the alarm went off”). So, what do you call a symbol — like an anchor —...Read More
Deciphering Teen-Speak OK, so this post just might have something to do with having three teenagers under my roof. But, as they say, “write what you know.” In that vein, no one is more familiar than me with all the nuances and shadings of that timeless phrase, “Shut up.” Here’s my lexicon: One. “I don’t...Read More
“I Know What You Meant” Department: Contingent Offer Confusion Residential real estate is full of confusing, non-intuitive (if not counter-intuitive) terms. Like, the Realtor that the industry calls “the Selling agent,” once a deal closes, actually represents the Buyer (the agent representing the Seller is known as “the listing agent”). See, “Quick! Who Does the...Read More
