Keeping off a large weight loss is a phenomenon about as common in American medicine as an impoverished dermatologist.

In modern America, anyone who attempts to write satirically about the events of the day finds it difficult to concoct a situation so bizarre that it may not actually come to pass while his article is still on the presses.

Do my ears deceive me, or can I actually hear the sounds of worms turning? You say a turning worm makes no sound? But how about a chorus of turning worms?

I suppose that there are endeavors in which self-confidence is even more important than it is in writing -- tightrope walking comes immediately to mind -- but it's difficult for me to think of anybody producing much writing if his confidence is completely shot.

Taking pleasure in the dark side may be some sort of occupational hazard for reporters.

I like chili, but not enough to discuss it with someone from Texas.

Everybody is who he was in high school.