Apple Turnover - 17 August 2026
Summary
This episode explores diverse linguistic topics, including the history of the nonsensical color "sky blue pink" and regional slang for mixed-breed dogs like "Texas brown dog." Callers discuss British versus American terms for illness, Newfoundland dialect quirks, and the calque "close the lights." The hosts also trace the origins of "axe to grind," the firefighter slang "bagger," and the minced oath "for crying in a bucket."
Topics discussed
Intro and the phrase 'sky blue pink'
Regional terms for mixed-breed dogs
Lurgy vs. Crud and The Goon Show
HeroForge sponsor and Before and After quiz
Newfoundland phrase 'What are you at?'
Why we say 'close the light'
Origin of 'having an axe to grind'
Firefighter slang: the word 'bagger'
The minced oath 'for crying in a bucket'
Poem reading: Cornbread by Silas House
Calling friends 'weapons' or 'weaponry'
New OED entry: floor-drobe and credits
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