The bony personage in this idiom isn’t actually the remains of a once living and breathing human being. But it can be just as frightening. Why? Find out here.... Read More

Let’s put aside all that nonsensical flapdoodle, and get down to reality. The fact of the matter is, such foolish, insincere talk, or prattle is often meant to deceive or overwhelm someone with nonsense.... Read More

Why study literature? Why read fiction? Why spend one’s life teaching it? What’s the point? Guest essayist Abram Van Engen offers some insight into those questions.... Read More

Commonly used as a call for pacifism, the biblical phrase “turn the other cheek” was originally a form of protest, encouraging people to stand up against their oppressors. But what kind of protest was Jesus promoting, exactly?... Read More

You might use the word banjaxed, if a weasel ran in front of your bicycle when you were on your way to the market. And you crashed into a tree when you swerved to miss the little critter. So, now your beautiful bike is banjaxed.... Read More

George M. Johnson's memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue has been characterized as obscene. Here’s a breakdown of why that’s sheer nonsense.... Read More

Starting over with “a clean slate” is thought to be the oldest known idiom. It means a fresh beginning, one free of past mistakes or failures. And It originated in The Code of Hammurabi.... Read More

This Week's Fun & Fancy Word Is: You definitely want to avoid having one of these in your library or bookstore. Because a... Read More.