Martha Stewart Living Radio: The Radio Blog

An aloof person is distracted or otherwise not attentive. Behind aloof is luff, a gadget that enabled a ship to change directions. The luff was positioned on a …

A bastion is a stronghold, preserving something in short supply. But a bastion is a stronghold in a more literal sense, too. It’s a fortress. Knowing that, you …

Depending on your preference, pool is where you swim or the game of billiards. Or you could use it as a verb if you’re talking about collective action. …

The camera enables us to keep a photographic journal of our summer vacations. But in Latin, camera means “vaulted chamber.” So in some European countries, a camera became …

Pozole is a one-pot stew that Mexicans have long used for feeding crowds. This pork-and-hominy stew has different versions. But you’ll need cilantro and some chile peppers to …

The word moxie is an American original, and one that isn’t easily defined. Someone with moxie has initiative and courage, spirit and fortitude. If you’ve got moxie, you’ve got …

Johnnycakes may sound like an obscure food, but they’ve been eaten here since before the Revolutionary War. Preserved by Rhode Island, johnnycakes are kind of like cornmeal pancakes, …

Jacquard is a fabric with an intricately detailed design, like a curtain with the outline of a constellation. It’s made on a Jacquard loom, named for its inventor, …