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The etymological sound and fury of “outrage”
The origin of “outrage” goes “beyond” the obvious. Plus, the roots of “rage” are, in fact, “rabid.”View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter. Read more.
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“Woof woof” and “iam fari”: divinity, humanity, dogs, and etymology behind first words in Michael Erard’s “Bye Bye I Love You”
The etymology of the word “infant” left me ‘speechless,’ thanks to Michael Erard’s enlightening and poetic new book about our first and last words.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter. Read more.
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In life, and etymology, love is love
“Love” is related to the word “belief.” Isn’t that nice?View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter. Read more.
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My slang lexicography, now up on Merriam-Webster
I wrote about a wide variety of slang and trending terms for an impressive new section on Merriam-Webster.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter. Read more.
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Newsy etymology: mercy, oligarchy, palisade, Greenland, emphysema, severance
“Greenland” originated as a sales pitch. “Merchandise” lies behind “mercy.” And little separates “severance” and “separation.”View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter. Read more.
Mashed Radish 