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	<title>The Word Detective</title>
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	<link>http://www.word-detective.com</link>
	<description>Semper Ubi Sub Ubi</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:33:49 +0000</pubDate>
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	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>August 2008 Issue.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/august-2008-issue/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/august-2008-issue/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:03:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[readme]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=586</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[readme:
Well, here we are again, a mere month after the last issue.  Such an unseemly rush.  I may have to go lie down for a month or two.  Just kidding, maybe.
Speaking of such things, as you may know, people who subscribe to TWD-by-Email receive these columns at the same time actual newspapers do, which is [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/august-2008-issue/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Sleep tight.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/sleep-tight/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/sleep-tight/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:03:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=513</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Swing low, stale guest.
Dear Word Detective:  A few years ago, I toured the Oakley Plantation  house within the James Audubon Memorial Park south of St. Francisville,  LA.  During the tour they showed us a bed with ropes supporting the  mattress.  They mentioned that when a guest had outstayed their welcome,  the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/sleep-tight/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Outlier.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/outlier/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/outlier/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:02:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=511</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Herd word.
Dear Word Detective:  In reading internet news sites and web pages  analyzing the various presidential candidates&#8217; standings in the various  polls (none of which ever seem to agree, by the way), I keep coming  across the term &#8220;outlier,&#8221; which I don&#8217;t remember encountering before  the last few years.  It seems [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/outlier/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Noggin.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/noggin/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/noggin/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:02:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=509</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From drink to think.
Dear Word Detective:  My kids think the word &#8220;noggin&#8221; is hilarious.  I  have used it, in reference to their heads, and wondered about its  history. Where, when and how did this word come into being? &#8212; Juliet.
Well, it was a dark and stormy night in the 1930s as Elwood Noggin, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/noggin/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Canning.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/canning/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/canning/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:02:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=507</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Like a scrapbook full of beets.
Dear Word Detective:  I recently bought one of those home vacuum-sealing  gizmos, which has proven quite useful since I&#8217;m on a special diabetic  diet and often work long hours.  Now I can do lots of cooking on one  weekend a month and bag up and freeze or [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Grifter.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/grifter/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/grifter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:02:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=505</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The human touch.
Dear Word Detective:  What does &#8220;grifter&#8221; mean?  I hear it often but  it&#8217;s not in any dictionary. &#8212; Debbie W.
Um, exactly how often do you hear &#8220;grifter&#8221;?  I ask only because I  almost never hear it, and while that may be because I swore off  television last year, I&#8217;m worried [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/grifter/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Chicken pox.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/chicken-pox/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/chicken-pox/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:02:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=503</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A fowl canard.
Dear Word Detective:  Do you know the origin of the name &#8220;chicken pox&#8221;  in reference to the virus?  Why chicken? &#8212; Chris Smith.
That&#8217;s a darn good question.  Why chickens, indeed?  I think it&#8217;s high  time to put an end to the linguistic abuse of the noble chicken, a  humble creature [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/chicken-pox/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Pits, the.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/pits-the/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/pits-the/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:01:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=501</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are we there yet?
Dear Word Detective: I am wondering about the origin of the phrase &#8220;the  pits.&#8221; My friend is moving to Pittsburgh and I am wondering if there is  any relation (though I doubt it). &#8212; Dustin.
Well, let&#8217;s not be hasty. Have you ever actually been to Pittsburgh?  Just kidding. It&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/pits-the/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Take it as read.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/take-it-as-read/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/take-it-as-read/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:01:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=499</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What ever.
Dear Word Detective: Today I’ve come across what appears to be an idiom  which I’ve never heard before, perhaps because it appears to be British  and Australian and not American. &#8220;Take it as red&#8221; seems to mean  something like &#8220;take it as given,&#8221; or at least &#8220;consider it plausible.&#8221;  I [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/take-it-as-read/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Scribner/scrivener.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/scribnerscrivener/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/scribnerscrivener/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:01:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=497</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[None for me, thanks.
Dear Word Detective: What is the origin and current use of the word  &#8220;scribner&#8221;? A Canadian coworker says the Canadians use this word like we  do &#8220;scribe&#8221; although it has an expanded meaning of not only taking  notes, but watchdogging all paperwork for a project or committee. Do you [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/scribnerscrivener/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Moolah.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/moolah/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/moolah/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:01:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=495</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The word known to all men.
Dear Word Detective: Today my son was reading and asked me if &#8220;moolah&#8221;  was a French word. I was pretty sure it wasn&#8217;t, said so, and then  scurried off in search of etymology on the internet, as is my wont.  Imagine my surprise to find it listed [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/moolah/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Agflation.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/agflation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/agflation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:00:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=493</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Farm faster, Dwayne.
Dear Word Detective: I&#8217;m a more recent reader of your work (I noticed  recently that someone had been reading for seven years!), and have  enjoyed it. I came cross &#8220;agflation&#8221; in the Economist last week, and I  was curious to see this word. Has this been used before? &#8212; Dibyo, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/agflation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Naughty or nice.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/naughty-or-nice/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/naughty-or-nice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:00:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=491</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s August and still going strong.
Dear Word Detective: Did the phrase &#8220;naughty or nice&#8221; originate with the  lyrics of &#8220;Santa Claus Is Coming to Town&#8221;? If not there, where? &#8212; Ed.
Good question, and a seasonal one as well. I just hope I can get that  tune out of my head before next spring. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/naughty-or-nice/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Leaves (table).</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/leaves-table/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/leaves-table/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=489</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yes, this column is from last year.  So subscribe, already.
Dear Word Detective:  After Thanksgiving yesterday, my brother and I  were charged with removing the table leaves from our dining table.  My  brother said, &#8220;Why are these things called leaves?  They don&#8217;t look  anything like leaves.&#8221;  So I have looked and looked and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/leaves-table/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Superstition.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/superstition/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/superstition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:00:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=487</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Eek?
Dear Word Detective:  &#8220;Superstition&#8221; sounds like it should be greater  than &#8220;stition.&#8221;  What might a &#8220;stition&#8221; be? &#8212; Paul.
Oh, about five pounds.  No, wait, that&#8217;s a henway.  A stition time saves  nine?  Stition on the dock of the bay?  Come to think of it, which I&#8217;m  sorry to say I have, ought [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/superstition/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>O.P., Prompt side.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/op-prompt-side/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/op-prompt-side/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:59:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=485</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Over here?
Dear Word Detective:  Some time ago I was reading My Man Jeeves by P.G.  Wodehouse, a treasure trove of obscure and quaint idioms and slang terms  as I&#8217;m sure you know.  In the chapter &#8220;The Unbidden Guest,&#8221; Bertie  describes an unannounced visitor as &#8220;measuring about 6 feet from the  O.P. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/op-prompt-side/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Pish posh.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/pish-posh/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/pish-posh/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:59:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=483</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Oh, please.
Dear Word Detective:  From where does the phrase &#8220;pish posh&#8221; come? &#8212;  Michelle.
Hey, that&#8217;s a good question.  As an aficionado of dismissive phrases  (&#8221;High voltage?  Fiddlesticks!&#8221;), I&#8217;m always up for an investigation of  the wonderful world of casting contemptuous scorn on the solemn  pronouncements of other people.
Speaking of such things, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/pish-posh/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Jerkwater.</title>
		<link>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/jerkwater/</link>
		<comments>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/jerkwater/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:59:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>words1</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[August 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.word-detective.com/?p=481</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[And we don&#8217;t need a library.  We&#8217;ve got satellite TV.
Dear Word Detective:  I have heard the term &#8220;jerkwater town&#8221; and never  thought much about it.  I inferred from the context that it was a small  place that didn&#8217;t amount to much.  I recently encountered this in a book  and began to wonder [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.word-detective.com/2008/08/14/jerkwater/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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