© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Mickey Mouse Conquers the World of Language

Mickey Mouse is a famous cartoon character, perhaps the most famous. But there is also the phrase "mickey mouse," which may be traced back to the slang of World War II. But it's a bit of slang that falls into a gray area rarely visited by lexicographers.

Copyright 2006 NPR

John Ciardi
You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.