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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

Reinventing Floating Transport for Special Guests

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.August 14, 2018
By Mark Peters
Have you ever been a special guest? I like to think all guests are special, but I can't say the same for all words. Please name, blame, and shame the following lexical varmints, which even my rat terrier can't seem to exterminate.  Continue reading...
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Evasive Maneuvers

Euphemisms old and new

Motion-challenged Hospitality for Furperson Trajectory

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.July 9, 2018
By Mark Peters
Fortunately for my job security, euphemisms run free and wild, far beyond the dog park and litter box.  Continue reading...
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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

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

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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1 2 3 4 5 Displaying 1-7 of 165 Articles