internet-retro

Faster Times February 25, 2010 Ralph Keyes is the author of fifteen books, but in some ways his most recent one—“I Love It When You Talk Retro: Hoochie Coochie, Double Whammy, Drop a Dime, and the Forgotten Origins of American Speech”—seems like the one he was born to write. Having authored the 1977 exploration “Is …

History News Network Ralph Keyes Our national conversation is filled with historical allusions: Ponzi schemes, smoke-filled rooms, talking turkey, even Harry and Louise (to say nothing of Thelma and Louise). Those who know the history of these allusions tend to assume everyone else does. But everyone doesn’t. Younger inquiring minds want to know: Who was …

Sher-endipity Many expressions we use as adults originated in the playgrounds, classrooms, and empty lots of our childhood. “Say uncle,” “connect the dots,” “stay within the lines,” and “stuck-up” are just a few. The term hoodwink is left over from another children’s game, blindman’s buff (not “bluff”). In this traditional English game, the it person …

Something Good to Read “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” ~Groucho Marx Malcolm Gladwell’s book about success, Outliers, is still selling like hotcakes. Go figure. Also writing about success, Tara Stiles at Huffington Post sets forth 10 tips for success in what …

Twitter Reading “I Love it When You Talk Retro” by Ralph Keyes … by flickering candlelight

Just released today, I Love It When You Talk Retro: Hoochie Coochie, Double Whammy, Drop a Dime, and the Forgotten Origins of American Speech, extensively cites Mystic Seaport’s Origins of Sea Terms. Who knew that sea slag would be retro! This new book explores popular terms such as “cut and run” which evolved from the …