Don Newbury is taking a break from writing new columns until September but has provided a few “old favorites” to use during the interim. This one originally was published in August of 2007. Americans have fallen into a crevice of sloppiness with usage of the word “hot,” and it has nothing to do with 100- plus degree days. Indeed, “hot” has become a handy word for descriptions that don’t involve thermometers. “Hot” describes fast cars, stolen property and well-sculpted bodies. Coming to light are The precise procedures to Ame measure “hotness” that by Don may put the “quietus” on flippant use of the word. This ...