Search Content
New Books on Language Bring Holiday Cheer Nov. 21, 2018
There's no place like tome for the holidays. These new books will delight the word-lovers on your sh... Read More
Linguistic Disputes Can Pack a Punch Nov. 14, 2018
Heated controversies over proper usage can lead to food fights at faculty clubs and fisticuffs on co... Read More
These Tools Have Fascinating 'Handles' Nov. 07, 2018
During college, I spent an entire summer with a lute in my hands. No, I wasn't strumming medieval ma... Read More
Subject and Verb Beg to Disagree Oct. 31, 2018
Q: The lead sentence in a newspaper story stated, "A string of recent announcements promising jobs a... Read More
Language Pitches Some Learning Curves Oct. 24, 2018
Some random dispatches from the Word Front: — Listen and Learn. The recent confirmation hearin... Read More
Are Business Buzzwords on Your Radar? Oct. 10, 2018
Let's play Jargon Jumble! Fill in each blank in the following sentences with the best choice from th... Read More
Me, Myself and I Sep. 26, 2018
In a eulogy honoring Sen. John McCain, former President Barack Obama speculated as to why McCain had... Read More
Will Verbal Clues Unmask 'Deep Thwart'? Sep. 19, 2018
Linguistic sleuths are poking into every nook and cranny of the anonymous op-ed piece recently publi... Read More
Practicing 'Alternative' Medicine Aug. 10, 2016
Q: I often encounter the word "alternate" used in place of the word "alternative." In traffic report... Read More
'Room'inating on Word Origins Jun. 11, 2014
Whenever you sit back and relax in your home, you're exemplifying the origins of the word "residence... Read More
Why the Throes Can Be the Pits Apr. 30, 2014
"I couldn't finish my paper because my family is in the throes of moving," a student told me last we... Read More
Peevish Readers Grow 'Pet'ulant Jan. 22, 2014
Every once in a while, I ask my readers to unleash their pet peeves — a snarling collection of... Read More
