If we were guided by history and etymology, we'd all be proud to wear amateur on our sleeves.
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One thing we can all agree on in 2021 is the only thing we have to fear is tuna itself.
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Sounds tend to survive the migration between languages more dependably than letters do. Let phonics show you the way!
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Writers Talk About Writing
Why You Should Resist the Writing Rituals of Famous Authors
January 28, 2021
Learn why you should stop comparing your writing rituals to that of famous authors.
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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.
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Seven Sentences You Should Stop Writing
November 23, 2020
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A Recipe for Time Travel
October 6, 2020
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Why You Should Consider Back-And-Forth Writing
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September 24, 2020
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Catching the Last Tuna Home
James L. said,
"Does Walter Simonson's use of "last train" predate Don MacLean's "American Pie"--"They caught the last train for the coast...""
- Tuesday February 23rd, 9:33 AM
Phun with Fonnix
Juan Jose Hartlohner said,
"Thanks for tour comments, Orin. The word in Spanish is written as "huérfano". It comes from Latin orphănus, and Greek orphanós. This time, English is..."
- Saturday February 6th, 2:00 PM
Orin Hargraves said,
"Good observation, Jan, and it points up the fact that you don't need whole words to spot relatedness. There are the sets of related "two" words that I..."
- Saturday February 6th, 8:31 AM
Jan S. said,
"Sound resemblances help us trace connections not only between languages of our time but between our present language and its distant past. Think of..."
- Friday February 5th, 1:32 PM
Webinar, Schmebinar!
Joe H. said,
"'webinar and newscast' are here to stay as they project a precise meaning missing in so many of the advertising world's jargon. The only caution is to..."
- Sunday January 31st, 7:48 PM
Why You Should Resist the Writing Rituals of Famous Authors
Daphne Gray-Grant said,
"You know what I've found, David? Building a strong habit entirely eliminates the need for a servant to hide my clothes!"
- Friday January 29th, 4:38 PM
David C. said,
"Sage advice, Daphne, as always. Time is like money; it's easier to save with paycheck in hand than at the end of the pay period. Too often, little is..."
- Friday January 29th, 9:58 AM
The Euphemism of The Year That Shall Not Be Named
Michael S. said,
"Nicely done."
- Saturday January 23rd, 1:13 PM
Who Needs Vwls?
Nancy Friedman said,
"Thx, Rgr!"
- Friday January 22nd, 12:31 PM
roger D. said,
"Grt Ncy."
- Friday January 22nd, 7:14 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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