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."Word RoutesExploring the pathways of our lexiconBy the Light of the Moonmoon: The Joy of Reduplication October 31, 2018 By Mark Peters
These days we need all the levity, lunar or otherwise, that we can get. This lexical lunacy is a flimsy excuse for me to write about my favorite type of word: the reduplication. From ack-ack to zip-zap, reduplicative words are silly, childish, catchy, animalistic, nonsensical, and awesome.
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Article Topics:Evasive ManeuversEuphemisms old and newA Decade of Drivel: Happy Column-versary to Me 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.
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Article Topics:Evasive ManeuversEuphemisms old and newOver Time, Euphemisms Develop  September 12, 2018
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.
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Article Topics:Word RoutesExploring the pathways of our lexiconThe 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.
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Article Topics: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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