Name-calling – the use of abusive names to belittle or humiliate another person in a political campaign or argument. – Dictionary.com In our language’s impressively large collection of insulting words, where does “pond scum” rank, exactly? Is it above “cur” or...
Encrypt – to alter information using a code or mathematical algorithm so as to be unintelligible to unauthorized readers. Dictionary.com When I think of the word “encrypt,” which has been in the news because of the dispute between Apple and the FBI, I think of...
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” — William Shakespeare What’s in a name? If your name is Sutton, it brings to mind rodeos, politics, health care, and investments. It’s not as common as say, Olson, or...
Socialism: Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy. –Merriam Webster Dictionary Large numbers...
Inflation: A persistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent decline in the purchasing power of money, caused by an increase in available currency and credit beyond the proportion of available goods and services. – American Heritage Dictionary...
Exorbitant – Going far beyond what is fair, reasonable, or expected: too expensive, etc. – Merriam Webster Dictionary “Lawmakers push debt-free college option” The headline caught my attention, though presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has been advocating...
Icon: An image. A sacred image venerated in churches and homes depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, a saint or some other religious subject. – Webster’s Third New International Dictionary Back when newspapers still had editors instead of writing coaches or team leaders,...
“Now why would I want to do that?” — Gov. Bill Janklow, when asked if the license plate numbers should be updated. A black Ford pickup sits in the driveway and my mom perches contentedly on the fender, dressed up and smiling happily. The photo is unmarked,...
Vanity plate — A license plate that has letters or numbers chosen by the owner of the vehicle. – Merriam Webster Today I salute the South Dakota Department of Revenue. Why place the often despised tax collector on a pedestal? Because, as it turns out, this...
Rainy Day fund — Budget stabilization or “rainy day” funds allow states to set aside excess revenue for use in times of unexpected revenue shortfall or budget deficit. — Tax Policy Center If “rainy day” funds are set up for anticipated...
