I found this word in an Oscar Wilde short story called "The Fisherman and His Soul". The sentance is "[T]hy leman is lost, and thou shalt be lost with her." It refers to a mermaid that the fisherman is in love with, but I'm not sure if the word is a term for mermaid or girlfriend...

Is there any relation between the two meanings of "tattoo"? There is the body art tattoo and the military tattoo with drums and marching.

Christy Nichols

Yes, my colleague uses the term all the time in reference to what she speaks with her family and friends outside of the work place. This is the first time I have heard that is can be offensive to some people, which is good for me to know. Thanks.

What is the history of the word "Ebonics", which my friend uses to describe the African-American dialect of English she speaks as a native of Washington, DC?

This is my first time suggesting words through this forum. I was reading a short story by Neil Gaiman called "Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire" (fun story!) and there were a few words I either had not heard of or had not heard them us...