According to The Wall Street Journal, payroll taxes stopped being enough to cover the (Social Security) retiree and disability programs’ expenses 16 years ago.
In American English, nippy can mean chilly. In British English, nippy can mean agile.
Edward Bancroft, a double agent working for Benjamin Franklin and spying for the U.S. and Great Britain in the Revolutionary War, was coded in writing as “58.”
Do you deliberately drive recklessly? If so, in Australia and New Zealand, they’d call you a hoon.
The term “hat trick” was first used in 1858 to describe the feat of taking three wickets in the game of cricket. A hat trick is when a player achieves three feats in a match.
The above is information that Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, magazine, or newspaper; heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party. Got facts? Write to Mr. Smarty Pants. Why not visit mrsmartypants.com?
This article appears in June 26 • 2026.