Posts by Richard Foss

I enjoy colorful slang terms, and have avidly read articles about the lingo of the Victorian underworld, Roaring Twenties revelers, beatniks, Cockneys, and carnival workers. It’s vivid, informal, and whimsical, often based on obscure allusions, rhymes, and wordplay. It can also be subtle, and even an enthusiast might miss an example in plain sight. Consider…

When I was a child my mother was a fan of a TV show called “Dragnet,” and I remember when a car chase in one episode took the heroic policemen through Manhattan Beach. Well, they said it was Manhattan Beach – it was a night scene and probably filmed on a studio lot. Nevertheless we…

I know someone who works with tech geniuses who are self-consciously unconventional, and whose work attire includes asymmetrical haircuts, unlikely body jewelry, and kilts both traditional and modern. My friend stands out even in this company, because he prefers a tasteful conservative suit and properly knotted tie. Is it a personal style choice or a…

I attend a lot of conferences and events, with the inevitable gaggle of people at the end of a day hanging out and discussing whatever we just saw. Occasionally someone will adjourn one of these gatherings with one of the loveliest inquiries in the English language, namely “Want to go out for Thai?” For me,…

The Bottle Inn opened in Hermosa in 1976 and while the menu changed over the years, the decor didn’t. The cozy space was from another time, the walls festooned with a display case of mini airline liquor bottles and distressed boards with paintings. Wooden chairs, some on the rickety side, flanked tables beneath hanging plants…