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Woke Language Jul. 21, 2021
Have you noticed how our language is changing? At a congressional hearing on "Birthing While Black,"... Read More
These Derivations Are on the Money Jul. 14, 2021
"The rich are different from us," F. Scott Fitzgerald supposedly told Ernest Hemingway. "Yes," Hemin... Read More
Pet Peeves Pounce on Prancing Prey Jul. 07, 2021
I occasionally ask readers to unleash their pet peeves about grammar and usage. While at first, thes... Read More
Meaning of 'Moot' Is a Moot Question Jun. 16, 2021
It's 11:45 a.m. at the faculty lunch table. A heated argument breaks out when an art teacher asks: "... Read More
Is Converting Adjectives to Nouns an Automatic? Jun. 09, 2021
The linguistic purist Tradition Al discusses an alarming trend with his more permissive friend Open ... Read More
Language Books for the Summer Hammock May. 26, 2021
"Summer made her light escape / Into the Beautiful," wrote Emily Dickinson. Make your own light esca... Read More
The Strange Etymologies of 'the Left,' 'Liberals,' 'Progressives' and 'Red Parties' (Part II) May. 22, 2021
Since its origins in revolutionary France, the definition of "the left" has continuously evolved in ... Read More
U.S. Builds Barriers To Stop 'Title' Wave May. 19, 2021
"All kings is mostly rapscallions," Mark Twain wrote in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Twain'... Read More
The Strange Etymologies of 'the Left,' 'Liberals,' 'Progressives' and 'Red Parties' (Part I) May. 15, 2021
Languages, especially their vocabularies, are in constant flux. Like living organisms, they are born... Read More
Conservatives Should Start Paying Attention to Language May. 14, 2021
In certain ways, it must be fun to be a left-winger. Pushing for any policy that seems socially just... Read More
By Any Other Name Lacks Respect May. 09, 2021
When he responded to my call with a deep, slow hello, it sounded like I roused him from sleep. I blu... Read More
Semantic Subterfuge: Democrats, Deception and Distortion Apr. 13, 2021
Democrats have a little problem with the truth. For example, they called H.R. 1319 their "COVID-19 r... Read More
Planet Word: Where Words Rule the World Feb. 07, 2021
By Fyllis Hockman I'm a travel writer. Words are what I do. My stories may not always sing, but I us... Read More
Conversation Techniques Jan. 13, 2021
DR. WALLACE: I read somewhere that you should never use the word "you" when you are upset with someo... Read More
Wordcestery.com -- Which Words Share a Common Lineage? Jan. 13, 2021
Is "spray," meaning "an arrangement of flowers," related to "spray," meaning "particles of water"? B... Read More
Jack Be Lively; Jack Be Quick Jan. 06, 2021
Q: How in the world did Bill come to be a nickname for William; Bob for Robert; Chuck for Charles; D... Read More
Our Merciless Culture Dec. 31, 2020
When did we become so merciless? I'm not talking about the 18-year-old kid, featured in a New York T... Read More
Do Dogs Understand Humans and Languages? Dec. 24, 2020
DR. WALLACE: I've had a dog for 10 years, since he was a puppy. I named him Clever Endeavor. I give ... Read More
'Ask Them to Spell Their Names' and Other Real-Life Blunders in Transcultural Business Communications: Part I Dec. 19, 2020
"The single greatest barrier to business success is the one erected by culture," said Edward T. Hall... Read More
Michiganders Make a Name for Themselves Dec. 02, 2020
In case you hadn't noticed, Michigan has been in the news a lot lately, what with a plot to kidnap i... Read More
