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Rounding up some remarks on some profane presidential remarks
From the New York Times (strong language ahead): President Trump on Thursday balked at an immigration deal that would include protections for people from Haiti and some nations in Africa, demanding to know at a White House meeting why he should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” rather than from places like Norway, according to people Read more.
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The 2017 “Etymology of the Year”: The Fake Origins of “Covfefe”
While some casual observers speculated if covfefe would win Word of the Year, lexicographers duly noted that the presidential typo for coverage, if creating a curious cultural moment, lacked any meaningful use to genuinely merit any such award. I think covfefe does deserve a different prize, however: my second annual Etymology of the Year. Read more.
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Spelacchio, Yankee Swap, and Boxing Day: Some holiday etymologies
Over on the Oxford Dictionaries blog, I’ve written some pieces that will get you in the holiday spirit. For my latest Weekly Word Watch, I featured the Italian word spelacchio: The official Christmas tree of the city of Rome, imported from the Italian Alps at a cost of over £42,000, has been shedding its needles, Read more.
Mashed Radish 