Mashed Radish

From telegraphs to Twitter: a short history of “wiretapping”

One of the earliest recorded instances of wiretapping involves an anecdote about how Confederate general John Hunt Morgan bet a Union soldier two cigars if he could spell the word Lebanon. In a series of shocking tweets this weekend, President Trump, providing absolutely zero evidence, said President Obama wiretapped his phones during the 2016 campaign. Read more.

John Kelly

March 7, 2017

Feature
Etymology of the Day: Butter

Butter is a bread-and-butter vocabulary word, but it may have spread all the way from ancient Scythia. Read more.

John Kelly

March 6, 2017

Etymology of the Day
From infantrymen to innovators: the etymology of “pioneer”

The original pioneers were “foot soldiers” who cleared the way for the rest of the army. This past Monday, US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos described historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as “real pioneers when it comes to school choice.” Her statement came under immediate fire, though, as HBCUs were formed due to a profound Read more.

John Kelly

March 3, 2017

Feature
Etymology of the Day: Pester

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? When we pester someone, we annoy them with repeated questions or requests. And anyone who’s driven children on a long road trip might reasonably assume pester is related to pest. But au contraire. Etymology can be such a pest. Read more.

John Kelly

March 2, 2017

Etymology of the Day
Etymology of the Day: Pal

We can use it when we’re trying to get a stranger’s attention in a friendly way. Hey, pal, though you’d want to know you left your lights on. We can also use when it we’re trying to get a stranger’s attention in a not so friendly way. Excuse me, pal, but I was in line Read more.

John Kelly

March 1, 2017

Etymology of the Day

From telegraphs to Twitter: a short history of “wiretapping”

Etymology of the Day: Butter

From infantrymen to innovators: the etymology of “pioneer”

Etymology of the Day: Pester

Etymology of the Day: Pal