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I'll Have a Quarantini; Better Make That 40 Jun. 02, 2021
As many of us have discovered during the past year, being in quarantine can really do a number on yo... 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
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
From Prince Philip to a New Chapter in the History of the English-Speaking Peoples Apr. 22, 2021
Washington — I could not reach my colleague Wlady Pleszczynski for most of the day on Saturday... Read More
Perfectionist and Pragmatist Form a 'More Perfect' Union Apr. 14, 2021
The perfectionist Sue Perlative and the pragmatist Ev Reethings Relative visited an antique show on ... 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
Keeping Up With Peter and Lazy Susan Jones Dec. 23, 2020
Did the expression "peter out" begin with a guy named "Peter"? Who are those Joneses we're always ke... Read More
Don't Waver in Heeding 'Wave/Waive' Distinction Dec. 09, 2020
"These guys never waiver in supporting me." When I read that sentence recently, I thought, "What a w... 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
New Books About Language Bring Holiday Cheer Nov. 25, 2020
During this pandemic-punctured holiday season, why not brighten the lives of your friends and family... Read More
Do You Know the 'Bear' Facts of Usage? Nov. 18, 2020
Who said fairy tales were simple? See whether you can choose the correct words on this quiz about Go... Read More
This Quiz Might Require a P'h.'D. Nov. 04, 2020
It's "H" Hour! Can you choose the correct derivation for each word beginning with "h"? 1) Harbinger:... Read More
Getting the Better of Bete Noires Oct. 28, 2020
We all encounter recurring questions about grammar, usage, punctuation or spelling that bedevil us e... Read More
This Boss 'Strived' To Be a Regular Guy Oct. 21, 2020
Q. "My boss insisted on using the word 'strived' in a letter he wrote to an important client. I rese... Read More
A Glimpse Into the Kitchen of Language Oct. 14, 2020
We often create words in the same way we prepare delicious foods: We slice them, dice them, season t... Read More
October 8, 2020 Oct. 08, 2020
Dear Annie: I read you on Facebook and hope you can help. My husband and I have been married for two... Read More
Give These Sentences a CAT Scan Sep. 30, 2020
Cats have nine lives, and this quiz on verb use has nine questions. Choose the correct verbs and you... Read More
A Canny Question Proves Uncanny Sep. 16, 2020
I had just been thinking about the odd words "canny" and "uncanny" when an email from a friend arriv... Read More
'Ghost Words' Still Haunt Our Language Sep. 09, 2020
We throw our "suitcases" and other "luggage" into the "trunks" of our cars. But those "suitcases" pr... Read More
