Tag Archives: language

Child’s Play

Posted on December 19, 2011 by

Whether it’s the special treats, presents, traditions, videos of cats climbing Christmas trees, or the shiny tinselly delight of it all, the collective winter holiday season can bring out the child in us. Which made me think of a bunch … Continue reading →

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One Man’s Freedom Fighter Is Another Man’s Antisecrecy Group

Posted on January 18, 2011 by

Listen to the news sometime. I mean, really listen, beyond the sound bytes, hairstyles, and the cringe-worthy way some of them pronounce “often” and “inundated.” Or that one American network that thinks we’re so stupid, a world map graphic is … Continue reading →

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Sling A Little Slang

Posted on January 13, 2011 by

I’ve always loved listening to the music of language, especially those words and phrases outside the tidy boundaries of Merriam-Webster. Somewhere in the Exurban Dictionary of my brain, I filed them away, the associated gray matter swelling with each new … Continue reading →

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Acronymlish

Posted on January 5, 2011 by

Unlike the purity that the French desire to retain in their language (au revoir, le hamburger), American English is a dirtier affair: a living, breathing organism that adapts to changes in times and styles. Dictionaries, even the stodgier names, regularly … Continue reading →

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More Words We Love To Hate

Posted on December 17, 2010 by

According to a recent Marist College poll of over a thousand American adults, “whatever” was chosen as the most annoying word or phrase for the second year in a row. “Like” came in right behind it. Other irksome terms included … Continue reading →

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