Why is basil considered to be an herb, but spinach is a vegetable? [more inside]
posted by chicago2penn on Aug 16, 2009 - 21 answers

Why is Sudan frequently referred to with an article, as in the Sudan?
posted by christhelongtimelurker on Jan 28, 2009 - 11 answers

"I'd like to welcome you to Dallas-Fort Worth" "I would say that's correct" What is this linguistic construct called? [more inside]
posted by aubilenon on Oct 6, 2008 - 17 answers

What do you call those chunks of snow that accumulate on automobile fenders behind the wheels? [more inside]
posted by Tube on Feb 23, 2008 - 21 answers

Anyone know the reason why in some sources de Medici (as in Catherine, Marie, Lorenzo) takes an apostrophe like so: de' Medici. Wikipedia uses this form, for example. Newspapers don't seem to bother with the apostrophe.
posted by otio on Oct 5, 2007 - 11 answers

Is there a name for the stains left on sidewalks by fallen leaves? (I'm looking for something more specific than "leaf stain," any language is fine.)
posted by j.edwards on Jan 24, 2007 - 12 answers

I often hear people describing "lost revenue" when they mean "revenue that we expected to earn, but didn't." To me, this is an important distinction: if you never had something, you can't lose it. Is there an alternate term to describe what I'm talking about? "Missed revenue," perhaps?
posted by bingo on Jan 2, 2007 - 25 answers

Have you ever seen the blue spiny shell that locks on to the leader in Mario Kart referred to as a 'Master Shell'? [more inside]
posted by ulotrichous on Dec 7, 2006 - 19 answers

I want to buy something but I can't think what to call it to search for it! [more inside]
posted by pax digita on Aug 2, 2006 - 7 answers

Why do many Asian restaurants and markets have a number in their names, for example, Pho 24 or Bankok 54? [more inside]
posted by Morrigan on Oct 28, 2005 - 36 answers

Why are there so many (relatively speaking) bands with names that begin with Thee? And who started it?
posted by mookieproof on Aug 3, 2005 - 22 answers

In conversation, how should I refer to my mom's boyfriend? (MI) [more inside]
posted by fricative on Nov 25, 2004 - 28 answers

Is there a term for a person who is prejudiced against racists or bigots? And is the term a non sequitur?
posted by the biscuit man on Jun 15, 2004 - 22 answers

How to order a normal coffee...... [more inside]
posted by sgt.serenity on Mar 30, 2004 - 57 answers

Is there a generally-accepted (or your-office-accepted) term for the type of decorative Flash movie with photos that fade in and out and white or black lines that drift back and forth? Here's an example (turn down your speakers) from a thread that was posted recently on MeFi. The genre seems to be ubiquitous enough to have its own moniker, but I don't want to lump it in under "Flashturbation" because the file sizes are typically small and it seems to be a reasonable if cliche way to present a series of images.
posted by planetkyoto on Feb 9, 2004 - 2 answers