contributor

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

A Decade of Drivel: Happy Column-versary to Me

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.October 10, 2018
By Mark Peters
In the spirit of my tenth anniversary, here's a look back at 10 euphemisms from previous columns that I particularly love—I mean, loathe! Loathe, obviously.  Continue reading...
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Evasive Maneuvers

Euphemisms old and new

Over Time, Euphemisms Develop

Premium content available only to Visual Thesaurus subscribers.September 12, 2018
By Mark Peters
Whatever name you go by in plea agreements and apocalyptic prophecies, I'm sure you appreciate discretion. In that spirit, here's my latest roundup of terms that beat around the bush so many times they could give George Orwell vertigo.  Continue reading...
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Word Routes

Exploring the pathways of our lexicon

The Lexical Constitution of "Constitution"

September 10, 2018
By Mark Peters
As long as there's a literal Constitution to amend and a metaphorical constitution to defend, constitution will remain an important word. Here's a look at this versatile word, just in time for September 17th — Constitution Day.  Continue reading...
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Dog Eared

Books we love

The Evasion-English Dictionary: A Smart Bomb Aimed at Sneaky, Self-deluded Language

August 31, 2018
By Mark Peters
Turns out evasion can take the form of a Trojan horsepucky so subtle and tiny most would not recognize it as evasive at all. This expanded edition of The Evasion-English Dictionary shows how small, everyday, nothing-to-see-here words can hide as much hokum as the longest and vaguest jargon.  Continue reading...
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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

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

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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