Category Archives: Language

A few weeks ago, Katie suggested testify for a word o’ the week. She’d heard that it came to us from testicle, because it’s what men used to swear on when they claimed to be telling the truth. “Oh cool,’ … Continue reading →

Lately I’ve been screening some pop physics, which have led me into black holes and amid tiny strings and along membranes. The scientists say “branes” and then spell it out for us so we don’t envision astronomical monsters. It was … Continue reading →

In the beginning, “nostalgia” was a medical diagnosis. My dictionary indicates the word was coined in 1668 by one Johannes Hofer. He built it from two Greek roots: nostos = homecoming and algia = pain, grief, distress (Greek study, by … Continue reading →

Recently I got into “eep” words. It started with keep, and moved on to creep, sweep, weep, peep, and steep. They all come from Middle English words which developed from Old English. Most of the Middle English words rhymed too … Continue reading →

Well it just goes to show you. A few weeks ago I thought it might be fun to look up blaspheme. And before I did that I knew I’d also have to check out heretic. But I expected blaspheme to … Continue reading →

I was editing a post recently, and I replaced the word “leash” with “tether.” The act made me conscious about the words in a way I’d never experienced. Offhand the difference is about direction. Both items are leads and both … Continue reading →

My father insisted, sometimes, on verbal precision. He would not let us say motor when we meant engine, and he was adamant about the fact that cement is just fancy sand; you have to mix it with water to form … Continue reading →