Rejoice! There's a new candidate for Euphemism of the Year, Drivel of the Decade, and Malarkey of the Millennium.
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Rejoice! There's a new candidate for Euphemism of the Year, Drivel of the Decade, and Malarkey of the Millennium.
Continue reading...
The famed copy editor's personal memoir is a joy to read and an inspiration to anyone who has toyed with the idea of learning a second language.
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Language Lounge
A Monthly Column for Word Lovers
And Forget the He and She
December 2, 2019
John Donne's poem The Undertaking, published in the early 17th century, suggests that forgetting the he and she would be "a braver thing than all the Worthies did." In a way, that is the same problem that's currently being considered in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Word Count
Writers Talk About Writing
Five Writing Lessons From Keith Richards
November 20, 2019
Here are five writing lessons you, too, can learn from a Rolling Stone.
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Automatically create lists of vocabulary from any text
using the Visual Thesaurus VocabGrabber.
January 18th is celebrated as Thesaurus Day to honor the birthday of the author of the first thesaurus, Peter Mark Roget. Get into the spirit by reading our two-part interview with Roget biographer Joshua Kendall here and here. Also check out an ode to the thesaurus penned by Franklin P. Adams here and Johnny Carson's hilarious "Funeral for a Thesaurus Editor" sketch here.
On the first Monday in September, the United States observes Labor Day, while Canadians celebrate Labour Day. If you want to know why labour is the accepted spelling in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries like Canada, while Americans prefer labor (and color, favor, honor, humor, and neighbor), check out this classic Word Routes column by Ben Zimmer.
Article Topics:
Professional Disharmony Synergies and Other Gobbledygook
September 11, 2019
- 3 Comments
7 Signs Your Writing Is Professional
August 27, 2019
- 6 Comments
Interior Enforcement and Other Freedom Logs
August 7, 2019
- 2 Comments
The Notional Space of the Digital World
August 1, 2019
- 4 Comments
"Because Internet": Celebrating the Way We Talk Online
July 17, 2019
- 3 Comments
Euphemism of the Year? Spreading Freedom Pucky
Click here to browse all the articles in our archive by date.
July 9, 2019
- 3 Comments
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Self-Partnered to Poppycock
Bill G. said,
"So, blower of whistles means the same as pasta vomiter?"
- Today, 4:43 AM
Five Writing Lessons From Keith Richards
Daphne Gray-Grant said,
"Thanks for your comments, David, Sam & John. I agree, David, that we still don't truly understand the source of inspiration and creativity -- although..."
- Yesterday, 6:08 PM
How to Name Your Characters
TitusPrime said,
"I was gifted this tool long long ago, and I am thrilled that it is still online so I can share it here today. This webtool has naming and idea engines..."
- Thursday December 5th, 12:20 PM
And Forget the He and She
John P. said,
"Where does it end? Wolf...wolf."
- Monday December 2nd, 11:56 AM
Girls, Girls, Girls
Esha Kurma said,
"I’m a girl"
- Thursday November 28th, 10:03 PM
Five Writing Lessons From Keith Richards
Sam T. said,
"Daphne: I grew up listening to Benny Goodman. All I knew about The Rolling Stones was the name. You mined the diamond for me in Keith Richards. His..."
- Tuesday November 26th, 9:30 AM
David C. said,
"Great post, as always, Daphne. The Greeks had their Muses. And we really haven't advanced on understanding the source of our inspiration and..."
- Tuesday November 26th, 8:19 AM
Marsha G. said,
"Sounds like he is self-taught. That's where his freedom comes from. It sparkles."
- Thursday November 21st, 12:22 AM
Finding (or Inventing) Euphemisms in the Latest OED Update
Craig J. said,
"Pronunciation of simi-dimi would be useful, as well as advice on to dash or not to dash; great term. Right up there with another serendipitous..."
- Wednesday November 20th, 12:08 PM
Five Writing Lessons From Keith Richards
Marie J. said,
"Yes! Advice that works in music, in writing, and in most everything else we do in life. I’m in the process of designing a dress pattern and the advice..."
- Wednesday November 20th, 9:33 AM
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Stage Directions: the Vocabulary of Theatrical Delivery
November 1, 2013
How can interpreting the language of stage directions enhance students' comprehension of drama?
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