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young & old
Fast Mash Old, through Old English’s alda and the Proto-Germanic *althas, derives from the Proto-Indo-European *al-, “to nourish” or “grow” Some cognates include: alderman, alimentary, altitude, elder, haughty, oboe, proletarian, and prolific Young, through Old English’s geong, derives from the Proto-Indo-European *ieu-, which may mean “vital force” or “youthful vigor” Cognates span the Indo-European language family. from Sanskrit’s yava to Read more.
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end
The New Year–so full of possibility, fresh starts, new…endings? End End may seem like such a simple word, but it turns out to be a bit more complex, etymologically speaking. The form of the word has changed little from the Old English ende, where it once also meant, according to Oxford, “termination,” “completion,” “death,” “event,” issue,” “intended Read more.
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The origin of “Christmas”
Etymologically, “Christmas” is smeared with oil, then dismissed. Read more.
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the four seasons, part iv (winter)
Fast Mash Winter, attested in the same form in Old English around 888, comes through Proto-Germanic’s *wentruz, perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European’s *wed-, *wod, or *ud-, meaning “wet,” or *wind-, meaning “white” The early sense of winter, as one of the two major divisions of the year alongside summer, may have been the “rainy or wet season” or “the white season,” Read more.
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aardvark
With the passing of Nelson Mandela, the world has been pouring out beautiful remembrances of a life yet more beautifully lived. As I listen to and read them, I can’t help but attend to the language we are using. Forbearance. Courage. Of the ages. We complain so often of the abuse of language. Of exaggeration. Read more.
Mashed Radish 