Mashed Radish

Mashed Radish

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

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  • Inside the “establishment”

    As the candidates run for the US presidency, there’s one word many are running against (and from): establishment. We see the term especially used for the mainstream Republican party, though Bernie Sanders is increasingly positioning himself against a Democratic establishment. What established this word establishment, etymologically speaking? Establishment The English language first sets up establishment in the late 15th century. Early on, establishment named a “settled arrangement,”… Read more.

    John Kelly
    January 26, 2016
    Uncategorized

  • Why do we “endorse” candidates?

    Sarah Palin made news this week with her endorsement of U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump. Her endorsement raised a number of questions, we could say. Not the least of which, most certainly, is the etymological one. Why’s it called endorse? Endorse We endorse candidates because we endorse checks, essentially. Money indeed plays an obscene role in politics, but… Read more.

    John Kelly
    January 22, 2016
    Uncategorized

  • Flying, flap-eared pigs?

    I wanted to point you to some other pieces I have around the web. You’re forewarned: Some strong language lies ahead. A few weeks back, I had a post on the OxfordWords blog: “Pig, dog, hog, and other etymologies from the farm.” As I note: We’ve left the farm and have wandered into the woods to discover where some very… Read more.

    John Kelly
    January 21, 2016
    Uncategorized

  • Dismantling “mantle”

    I’ve been thinking about the word mantle recently. During the latest Republican debate, Donald Trump trumpeted that he “will gladly accept the mantle of anger” about the problems, at least in his and his supporters’ view, that the US faces. Meanwhile, the Iran deal went into effect after “the country followed through with its promises to dismantle large… Read more.

    John Kelly
    January 19, 2016
    Uncategorized

  • Introducing Shakespeare Confidential

    So, I’ve started a new yearlong project. Shakespeare died in 1616. I’m going to read everything he wrote in 2016 and write about it. I’m calling it Shakespeare Confidential. It’s going to be accessible, personal, and human, so don’t worry if Shakespeare feels Greek to you. You can find it – and follow it – at www.shakespeareconfidential.com and @bardconfidensh.… Read more.

    John Kelly
    January 18, 2016
    Uncategorized

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Mashed Radish

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