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Mark Peters

Mark Peters is a language columnist, lexicographer, and humorist who has written for Esquire, The Funny Times, New Scientist, Psychology Today, Salon, and Slate. He contributes to OUPblog and writes the Best Joke Ever column for McSweeney's. You can read Mark's own jokes on Twitter, such as, "I play by my own rules, which is probably why no one comes to my board game parties anymore."
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Evasive Maneuvers

Euphemisms old and new

Ongoing Medieval Information Weapons

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.June 12, 2018
By Mark Peters
Here's my monthly roundup of euphs I found underneath the most common element on the periodic table: horsepucky.  Continue reading...
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Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

The Geeky, Cosmic, Philosophical History of "Multiverse"

May 23, 2018
By Mark Peters
Multiverse is a word with multiple meanings and origins, ranging from heady philosophy to spandex-clad superheroes, but the first examples of multiverse are a lot older than you would think and not where you would expect.  Continue reading...
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Evasive Maneuvers

Euphemisms old and new

Heavy Episodic Malarkey and Other Formulated Fluff

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.May 7, 2018
By Mark Peters
One variant of the perfect euphemism combines optimism and nonsense in a sandwich of slop. Speaking of slop, my euphemism mop wiped up the following terms from the drippy drivel of 2018. Enjoy and employ these terms, but keep a twaddle towel handy.  Continue reading...
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Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

Nerding Out on "Nerd"

April 24, 2018
By Mark Peters
The realm of nerdiness has been steadily expanding for years, with nerd culture taking over the world in the form of technology and pop culture. That makes this a good time to look at this insult turned compliment with a murky past and bright future.  Continue reading...
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Evasive Maneuvers

Euphemisms old and new

Size-inclusive Reinterpretations of Collective Cockamamie Coinages

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.April 6, 2018
By Mark Peters
When the history of euphemisms is written, the following terms deserve footnotes, if not full-blown chapters.  Continue reading...
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Evasive Maneuvers

Euphemisms old and new

Euphemizing Some Spicy Meatballs

March 7, 2018
By Mark Peters
I always let my readers wet their beaks in the deep pool of drivel I've collected from reservoirs of rot and lakes of lunacy. Please enjoy the following euphemisms and consider using them in your love sonnets and fraud trials.  Continue reading...
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Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

For Whomst Does the Neologism Toll?

February 23, 2018
By Mark Peters
Sometimes — mayhaps many times — we need words to help us make fun of other words, not to mention the preening posers who use them, including ourselves.  Continue reading...
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1 2 3 4 5 Displaying 1-7 of 163 Articles