We are very pleased to announce that Ben Zimmer, executive producer of the Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com, has just been named the "On Language" columnist for The New York Times Magazine. He will be replacing William Safire, who passed away last year after writing the "On Language" column for thirty years. Beginning with the March 21 issue of the Magazine, Ben will be writing the column on a biweekly basis.
Continue reading...
Michael Lydon explores how short words are more potent than long words.
Continue reading...
Article Topics:
Word Routes
Exploring the pathways of our lexicon
"Kanye": Rebirth of an Eponym 
March 10, 2010
By Ben Zimmer
The Oscars ceremony had an unexpected "Kanye moment."
Continue reading...
Article Topics:
Michele Dunaway continues her discussion about how choosing the right literature to read is the key to getting students excited about books.
Continue reading...
Article Topics:
Automatically create lists of vocabulary from any text
using the Visual Thesaurus VocabGrabber.
Today is National Grammar Day, established in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough. This year Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. "Grammar Girl," is presiding. Here are some links to get you into the spirit.
At the Movies: Plumbing the Depths of "The Hurt Locker"
March 5, 2010
- 2 Comments
Do's and Don'ts for Singular "They"
March 4, 2010
- 22 Comments
Owning the Podium (and the Lectern)
February 25, 2010
- 7 Comments
A Daily Vocabulary Bonanza for Teachers
February 23, 2010
- 2 Comments
Crossword Tournament 2010: Dan Feyer Wins!
February 22, 2010
Crossword Tournament 2010: Saturday Report
February 21, 2010
Choosing Literature in an Age of Distraction
Click here to browse all the articles in our archive by date.
February 15, 2010
- 10 Comments
- Indicates content available exclusively to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.Click here to subscribe today.
- Word RoutesExploring the pathways of our lexicon
- Language LoungeA Monthly Column for Word Lovers
- Word CountWriters Talk About Writing
- Behind the DictionaryLexicographers Talk About Language
- CandlepowerAd and marketing creatives
- Teachers at WorkA column about teaching
- BackstoryAuthors tell you what inspired their work
- Evasive ManeuversEuphemisms old and new
- WordshopVocab activities for your classroom
- Dog EaredBooks we love
- EdulinksUseful sites for educators
- Blog Excerpts
- Blog Du Jour
- Dept. of Word Lists
- Book NookGood reads for educators
- WordmastersLanguage Arts Classroom Competition
- WunderkindA column for scrappy students
Featured Word Lists
Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried(59 words)
- Vietnam War
- kiley
- believability
- Selective Service
- Selective Service System
More Top Rated Word Lists:
Evolution(51 words)
The Top 60 Most Common Academic Words(60 words)
/sl-/ words(16 words)
Crossword words(377 words)
Declaration of Independence (VocabGrabber)(245 words)
Death of a Salesman(39 words)
"Infinite Jest" vocabulary(117 words)
OVERHEARD
RECENT COMMENTS FROM OUR SUBSCRIBERS
Ben Zimmer Named New York Times Language Columnist
Diane T.
said,
"This is great news! Congratulations, Ben. I was just saying Friday morning (I hadn't heard the news yet) that I although I really missed Safire, I did..."
- Today, 9:54 PM
The Power of Short Words
paul C.
said,
"I'm a country songwriter in Nashville. The article reminded me of one of favorite things I've written. The message of the song is 'people keep telling..."
- Today, 6:53 PM
Ben Zimmer Named New York Times Language Columnist
William M.
said,
"Bravo! Have been rooting for Zimmer and delighted there will be a worthy replacement for one of the best chairs in journalism."
- Today, 12:44 PM
Do's and Don'ts for Singular "They"
thomas S.
said,
"I cannot believe so many people are buying into this. I've never been confronted with a situation I couldn't rewrite my way out of. English has some..."
- Yesterday, 2:46 PM
The Power of Short Words
Kathleen C.
said,
"To me, that William Ray passage exemplifies academic writing. It's the reason I didn't go to graduate school. Thank you for your article, which --..."
- Yesterday, 2:30 PM
Ben Zimmer Named New York Times Language Columnist
Anonymous
said,
"I am more than pleased since Safire's column is the only one I've been consistently reading in the Sunday Times. Ben is a perfect person to take over..."
- Yesterday, 11:33 AM
The Power of Short Words
Joanna H.
said,
"I realized on reading this piece, that I have often read books and articles which required re-reading, perhaps twice, to begin to translate the..."
- Yesterday, 12:58 AM
POPULAR TOPICS
Lesson Plans
Put the VT to work in your classroom
Using Key Words to Unlock Math Word Problems
March 9, 2010
How can identifying key words help students solve mathematical word problems?
Continue reading...
Recent Lesson Plans:
Salinger and the Vocabulary of the Vernacular
February 5, 2010
- 3 Comments
A Victorian Vocabulary Challenge
January 4, 2010
Vocabulary Bursting with Energy
November 11, 2009
- 3 Comments
With the Academy Awards around the corner, we're feeling cinematic with an Oscar-themed crossword puzzle. Solve it and you could win a Visual Thesaurus T-shirt!
Continue reading...
Ben Zimmer, executive producer of the Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com, has been named the "On Language" columnist for The New York Times Magazine.
Continue reading...
Article Topics:
Recent Announcements:
The Visual Thesaurus and The New York Times Team Up for Learning
October 29, 2009
- 1 Comment
Introducing... Community Spelling Bees
September 23, 2009
- 8 Comments
Grab Hold of Your Vocabulary with VocabGrabber!
May 5, 2009
- 10 Comments
Give your favorite somebody your favorite word map! Now you can order a Visual Thesaurus word map on a t-shirt, mug, even a postage stamp. Simply search for a word, click on the "Share" button on top right hand of the Visual Thesaurus window, and follow the easy steps. We can't think of a better gift -- or a gift to yourself, for that matter! (Hey, we're biased!)
Incorporate the Visual Thesaurus into your blog or website, add it to your
home page, or use it from Microsoft Word. Learn all the ways that we offer
to make the Visual Thesaurus more convenient to use and easier to share
with your friends, family, and colleagues:
- Add a shortcut to your desktop
- Add the Visual Thesaurus to your browser's toolbar
- Embed the Visual Thesaurus into your blog or web page
- Add the Word of the Day to your blog or web page
- Link to the Visual Thesaurus
- Use the Visual Thesaurus from Microsoft Word
