contributorMark 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."Dog EaredBooks we loveThe 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.
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Article Topics:Evasive ManeuversEuphemisms old and newReinventing Floating Transport for Special Guests 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.
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Article Topics:Evasive ManeuversEuphemisms old and newMotion-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.
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Evasive ManeuversEuphemisms old and newOngoing 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.
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Word RoutesExploring the pathways of our lexiconThe 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.
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Article Topics:Evasive ManeuversEuphemisms old and newHeavy 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.
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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.
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