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Planet Word: Where Words Rule the World Feb. 07, 2021
By Fyllis Hockman I'm a travel writer. Words are what I do. My stories may not always sing, but I us... Read More
Conversation Techniques Jan. 13, 2021
DR. WALLACE: I read somewhere that you should never use the word "you" when you are upset with someo... Read More
Wordcestery.com -- Which Words Share a Common Lineage? Jan. 13, 2021
Is "spray," meaning "an arrangement of flowers," related to "spray," meaning "particles of water"? B... Read More
Jack Be Lively; Jack Be Quick Jan. 06, 2021
Q: How in the world did Bill come to be a nickname for William; Bob for Robert; Chuck for Charles; D... Read More
Our Merciless Culture Dec. 31, 2020
When did we become so merciless? I'm not talking about the 18-year-old kid, featured in a New York T... Read More
Do Dogs Understand Humans and Languages? Dec. 24, 2020
DR. WALLACE: I've had a dog for 10 years, since he was a puppy. I named him Clever Endeavor. I give ... Read More
'Ask Them to Spell Their Names' and Other Real-Life Blunders in Transcultural Business Communications: Part I Dec. 19, 2020
"The single greatest barrier to business success is the one erected by culture," said Edward T. Hall... Read More
Michiganders Make a Name for Themselves Dec. 02, 2020
In case you hadn't noticed, Michigan has been in the news a lot lately, what with a plot to kidnap i... Read More
Discrimination and Prejudice Nov. 25, 2020
Some of the confusion in thinking about matters of race stems from the ambiguity in the terms that w... Read More
New Books About Language Bring Holiday Cheer Nov. 25, 2020
During this pandemic-punctured holiday season, why not brighten the lives of your friends and family... Read More
Do You Know the 'Bear' Facts of Usage? Nov. 18, 2020
Who said fairy tales were simple? See whether you can choose the correct words on this quiz about Go... Read More
The Stuttering Foundation Has Wonderful Resources Nov. 07, 2020
DR. WALLACE: I have a child who is suffering from stuttering, and my husband and I are doing all we ... Read More
This Quiz Might Require a P'h.'D. Nov. 04, 2020
It's "H" Hour! Can you choose the correct derivation for each word beginning with "h"? 1) Harbinger:... Read More
Getting the Better of Bete Noires Oct. 28, 2020
We all encounter recurring questions about grammar, usage, punctuation or spelling that bedevil us e... Read More
It's the Law Oct. 28, 2020
A fascinating law was passed in Louisiana in 1999 requiring students from kindergarten through fifth... Read More
This Boss 'Strived' To Be a Regular Guy Oct. 21, 2020
Q. "My boss insisted on using the word 'strived' in a letter he wrote to an important client. I rese... Read More
Voulez-Vous Help Your Brain? Oct. 09, 2020
I live in South Florida, which is frequently referred to as the home of the silver tsunami. This phr... Read More
Studying History on Its Own Terms Oct. 07, 2020
"The British are coming! The British are coming!" Ah, how Paul Revere's historic call to arms still ... Read More
Language and Thought Sep. 23, 2020
Seventeenth-century poet and intellect John Milton predicted, "When language in common use in any co... Read More
'Cisgender' Has Roots in Latin, Biochemistry Sep. 23, 2020
Several readers have asked me about the meaning, origin and use of "cisgender," an adjective for a p... Read More
