During Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn told her “You have a lot of ‘splainin’ to do.” The press helpfully pointed out that this was something Ricky Ricardo often said to Lucy on the 1950s I Love Lucy sitcom. Except he didn’t. The Cuban-born bandleader did once ask his wife to “splain” herself …
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Retroterm of the Day: Luddite.
Three centuries ago English textile manufacturers began to use mechanical looms. They then dismissed some employees and reduced the wages of others. Textile workers organized protests under the aegis of a mythical leader named General Ludd. During some, mechanized looms were smashed. “Luddite” has since come to refer generically to those who resist resist technological …
Retroterm of the Day: Slipshod.
Centuries ago, loose-fitting “slipshoes” were worn inside British homes. Some wore them outside as well. This was not considered good form. During the 16th century anyone who wore slipshoes in public risked being ridiculed as “slipshod.” That term was subsequently applied to those of sloppy appearance, then to anything at all-work performance especially-judged second-rate.
Retroterm of the Day: Whistlestop.
A century ago, towns too small to merit regular train service were called “whistle stops.” Trains stopped there only when a passenger pulled a signal cord. The engineer would then blow his whistle to indicate that he’d got the message. When Harry Truman campaigned by train in hundreds of such towns in 1948, he was …
Retroterm of the Day: Loose cannon.
Early warship cannons were mounted on wheels so they could be rolled into place for loading and firing. Those not then lashed securely to the deck were liable to careen about uncontrollably, especially in rough seas. During this extremely dangerous event sailors could be crushed by that unpredictably rolling piece of iron. This is why …
Retroterm of the Day: Only when I laugh.
In an old joke a survivor of a wagon train massacre lies on the ground with an arrow in his back. When asked by rescuers if it hurts, the man moans, “Only when I laugh.” Truman’s Secretary of State Dean Acheson relied on this line when asked whether the verbal arrows shot at him were …