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.
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Michael Lydon explores how short words are more potent than long words.
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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."
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Michele Dunaway continues her discussion about how choosing the right literature to read is the key to getting students excited about books.
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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
- 19 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
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- 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:
The Top 60 Most Common Academic Words(60 words)
/sl-/ words(16 words)
Evolution(51 words)
Crossword words(377 words)
Declaration of Independence (VocabGrabber)(245 words)
Death of a Salesman(39 words)
"Infinite Jest" vocabulary(117 words)
Time Adverbs(25 words)
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RECENT COMMENTS FROM OUR SUBSCRIBERS
Ben Zimmer Named New York Times Language Columnist
Tom W.
said,
"The first time my name appeared in print was in Safire's first book on letters he received on his column. The book too, was entitled "On Language."..."
- Today, 8:51 AM
Margaret P.
said,
"Woohoo!"
- Today, 8:37 AM
Adrienne D.
said,
"Now we can all say: We knew Ben when "Palinize" wasn't a word. Even we Ohioans (via New York) know what a huge deal this is. Next thing we know,..."
- Today, 7:48 AM
Orin Hargraves
said,
"Fantastic, Ben, and bravo to the NYT for recognizing they had the best man for the job. I'm looking forward to years of engaging edification."
- Today, 7:23 AM
Anonymous
said,
"I'm sorry I voted one star by mistake. I meant 5 stars. As a New Yorker I recognize what a big honor this is and offer sincere congratulations."
- Today, 6:26 AM
The Power of Short Words
Therese S.
said,
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have learned there is beauty in simplicity. Taking a complex thought or concept and breaking it down into simple..."
- Yesterday, 1:28 PM
Jane B.
said,
"Legal writing provides many examples of convoluted sentences, in word choice and structure.
Reforming that, though 'twould be a tangled web, would be..."
- Yesterday, 12:26 PM
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Using Key Words to Unlock Math Word Problems
March 9, 2010
How can identifying key words help students solve mathematical word problems?
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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!
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Ben Zimmer, executive producer of the Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com, has been named the "On Language" columnist for The New York Times Magazine.
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