Mashed Radish

Mashed Radish

Etymology at the intersection of news, life, and everyday language.

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  • Chatting 2024 Words of the Year with Grammar Girl

    Chatting 2024 Words of the Year with Grammar Girl

    Watch and listen to John Kelly chat about the 2024 Words of the Year with Mignon Fogarty on the delightful and distinguished Grammar Girl podcast. Read more.

    John Kelly
    January 7, 2025
    media

  • Why does a ball drop on New Year’s Eve?

    Why does a ball drop on New Year’s Eve?

    The ball drop is based on a system that once helped ships set their clocks—and navigate—in the 1800s. Read more.

    John Kelly
    December 31, 2024
    Feature

  • “Drone”: where etymology meets entomology

    “Drone”: where etymology meets entomology

    There is a lot of noise about mystery drones buzzing overhead. It turns out there is a lot of noise buzzing behind the word “drone,” too. Read more.

    John Kelly
    December 22, 2024
    Feature

  • On the origins of “mocha” and “mousse”

    On the origins of “mocha” and “mousse”

    A Red Sea port and green ground cover lie behind the name of a headline color. Read more.

    John Kelly
    December 15, 2024
    Feature

  • “Martial” vs. “marshal”: what’s the etymological difference?

    “Martial” vs. “marshal”: what’s the etymological difference?

    One is from “Mars.” The other is from “horses.” Read more.

    John Kelly
    December 8, 2024
    Feature

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Mashed Radish

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