Category: Feature

• The dramatic roots of “explode”

  In Ancient Rome, theatergoers would drive actors they didn’t like off stage by clapping very loudly. The custom ultimately gives us the word explode. Last Friday, after seven years decrying Obamacare, House Republicans pulled their bill to replace it. It was an explosive event, and, from President Trump, it met with an ‘explosive’ response: “I’ve been saying for…

  John Kelly

  March 28, 2017

  Feature

• Goats, galloons, gas stations, and Gorsuch: The origin of “chevron”

  Confirmation hearings of US Supreme Court nominees—like Neil Gorsuch’s this week in the Senate—give obscure judicial terms a rare moment in the public spotlight. Consider super precedent, who fights baddies with the power of past decisions. Or stare decisis, which sounds like a long-lost sister to Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” And then there’s Chevron…

  John Kelly

  March 24, 2017

  Feature

• The dark and troubled past of “sleazy”

  The earliest record of sleazy likens the human brain to beer left out in the sun.  On Capitol Hill yesterday, FBI Director James Comey confirmed that his agency is probing Russian interference in the 2016 US election. During his hearing, Denny Heck, a Democratic representative for Washington, commented on the state of the investigation: “We’re…

  John Kelly

  March 21, 2017

  Feature

• 10 words with surprising Irish roots

  From bother and trousers to slogan and slew, the English language has Irish etymology galore.  We’re all Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, as we like to say, but so too are many of our words – and not just the more obvious ones like leprechaun or shamrock. There are many other everyday words whose Irish origins…

  John Kelly

  March 17, 2017

  Feature

• Why is it called the “Ides” of March?

  

  We don’t know where the word “Ides” comes from or why the Ancient Romans used plural words for singular dates. Thanks, Caesar. 

  John Kelly

  March 16, 2017

  Feature