Search Content
Are You Game for Some Word Games? May. 06, 2020
What is the only letter that does not appear in the name of any U.S. state? What do the city of Pari... Read More
Are You Ready for a 'Double-Cross-Word' Puzzle? Apr. 29, 2020
Let's play "Guess the Word Origin!" Can you select the correct derivation of these terms? 1. When so... Read More
A Trap Play in the Grapefruit League Apr. 15, 2020
While working as a busboy in the dining hall during my college days, I became the victim of what wou... Read More
Politicos 'Stand Up' a New Buzzword Apr. 08, 2020
Today, two random dispatches from the Word Front ... — "Stand Up" Comedy — The Washingt... Read More
'Epidemic'/'Pandemic' Distinction Requires Fine-Tuning Mar. 25, 2020
During the current coronavirus scare, I've been taking comfort in playing the piano. I'm a terrible,... Read More
How a Virus Got Its Name Mar. 18, 2020
As the current coronavirus disease spreads, several readers have asked me about the origin of its na... Read More
When Your Name Is Your Game Mar. 11, 2020
I recently heard a radio interview with a spokesman for Venture Data, a company that conducts teleph... Read More
All's 'Fare' in Love and 'Commuting' Mar. 04, 2020
Q: Why do we call someone who travels back and forth to work a "commuter"? — Chris Ryan, New Y... Read More
Taking the Terror out of 'Terrific' Feb. 26, 2020
Q: Could you explain why "terrible" and "horrible" are synonyms but "terrific" and "horrific" are an... Read More
Iowa Caucus 'Debacle': Worse Than We 'Thaw't' Feb. 19, 2020
Well, we finally found something that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on: The Democratic Io... Read More
Repartee in the Rathskeller? You Don't Say! Dec. 25, 2019
Here's your chance to test your mastery of frequently mispronounced words. I'll even throw in some l... Read More
Can You Make Sound Choices Between Sound-Alike Words? Oct. 23, 2019
Some usage distinctions are so tricky that even very intelligent people find them challenging. OK, s... Read More
Lock, Stock and Peril Oct. 02, 2019
— Answering a Loaded Question: President Donald Trump's recent description of the U.S. militar... Read More
Should We Put 'Ahold' on Hold? Sep. 18, 2019
In reviewing a documentary about TV journalist Mike Wallace, critic Kenneth Turan noted that the fil... Read More
This 'Calling Card' Hasn't Expired Jan. 09, 2019
When a TV weather forecaster described a November blast of cold air as "winter's calling card," I wo... Read More
What Are the Rules for 'Fewer' and 'Less'? Dec. 19, 2018
My seventh-grade English teacher, Mrs. Morris, was a formidable and forthright woman. And when it ca... Read More
Political Potshots Have Always Packed Punch Dec. 05, 2018
If you think today's political insults are nasty, consider these mud bombs hurled at Presidents Ulys... Read More
New Books on Language Bring Holiday Cheer Nov. 21, 2018
There's no place like tome for the holidays. These new books will delight the word-lovers on your sh... Read More
Linguistic Disputes Can Pack a Punch Nov. 14, 2018
Heated controversies over proper usage can lead to food fights at faculty clubs and fisticuffs on co... Read More
What Will the Trump Mob Kill Next? Feb. 21, 2018
Breaking news: Trump & Company are a murderous mob! From the start of his White House tenure, the Tr... Read More
