Category Archives: Language

House Arrest 33 (Self-Command)

Posted on April 19, 2020 by sputterpub

Two hundred years ago, an English book employed vocabulary obsolete these days, or rare at least – we seldom look askance, or box some ears, or take conceit to mean idea – I’m sure you understand. I came on this … Continue reading →

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House Arrest 25 (The Bop)

Posted on April 11, 2020 by sputterpub

When I was young my mom preferred to say “Because I told you so,” to satisfy my quest for information. She would pay me scant attention in response to Why. My teachers didn’t shut me down that way, but most … Continue reading →

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Appropriate

Posted on February 7, 2020 by sputterpub

As inappropriate as PJ pants instead of trousers, rancor, public sex, I just as often well-behave by chance as by my own decision. Mom expects passivity and sweetness. Even Dad advises me to shush and not engage. I listen but … Continue reading →

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Them/Us

Posted on February 3, 2020 by sputterpub

Non-binary, my daughter said to me, reporting on her first-born’s recent speech. They want the neuter plural pronoun – he or she will hurt their feelings. Now I reach for comprehension while I try to frame my sentences so noun … Continue reading →

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Honestly

Posted on December 5, 2019 by sputterpub

I wasn’t that surprised when I first heard some athletes took some drugs to better build up muscles and performance. It’s absurd assuming fair behavior in a field as wide as wealth, as vast as viral fame. The aspect that … Continue reading →

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Lies

Posted on July 26, 2018 by sputterpub

I didn’t get it when I was a kid. I still don’t understand or recognize a culture that insists I act as bid by portions of a book that sanctifies barbarity, selectively ignored, composed by no one holy to advise, … Continue reading →

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Tropes

Posted on April 19, 2018 by sputterpub

My brother moved his office from SF to Oakland – he reiterates the claim that he appreciates the jewel he left more now. But I know him – his words are lame. My sister says she’s into family because she … Continue reading →

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How

Posted on April 3, 2018 by sputterpub

I wondered: what’s the etymology of irony and iron? Do they share a common root, or trick disparity? I learned that they’re an unrelated pair. They sound alike coincidentally, and by the way, that’s not a synonym: coincident’ly’s not ironic’ly. … Continue reading →

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Talk

Posted on October 9, 2017 by sputterpub

I try to talk too much. I always did. I started shortly after learning speech. Conversing more than any other kid in family or school, like I would teach by my example how to self-express, each interaction was an interview. … Continue reading →

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Vocab

Posted on November 29, 2016 by sputterpub

“I’m aggravated,” Mama said so much, a pet might have assumed it as a name. The woman was impatient, filled with such an antsy energy, there never came a respite when we knew she was content. It seemed she never … Continue reading →

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