Turn on a Dime - 23 February 2026

Every subculture has its own secret lingo, whether you’re talking about surfers, cab drivers, or coffee-shop baristas. A new book uncovers the slang of everyone from stunt performers to department-store Santas and more. Plus, why is English so darn weird? Those odd spellings and weird pronunciations form a fascinating fossil record. And: a quiz where the actual object of the game is to spell words Incorrectly! Also, clabberhead, eating me out of house and home, can of sugar vs. canister of sugar, prototype theory, a clever Puerto Rican phrase, an orthographic brain teaser, turn on a sixpence, Chef Mike, and more.

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