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Common word, uncommon power: behind “ban”
Donald Trump is once again making headlines – and turning heads. As his campaign issued in a news release this week: Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on. In their coverage of it, many in the press Read more.
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Remembering “victim”
As The New York Times reported in the aftermath of yet another mass shooting in the US: Including the worst mass shooting of the year, which unfolded horrifically on Wednesday in San Bernardino, Calif., a total of 462 people have died and 1,314 have been wounded in such attacks this year, many of which occurred on streets Read more.
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Cyber
If you’re reading this at work, at least your boss won’t be catching you shopping. Yes, it’s Cyber Monday, the Internet’s Black Friday. This online retail event was created by some very smart marketers in 2005. The word cyber was created, too, in its own way, by a very smart person and not too long ago. But its etymological Read more.
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Letters, bones, & sides: etymology around the web
Waiting in long lines this Black Friday? Stuck in holiday traffic? Still recovering from a food coma? Need a little break from your family? Well, I’ve got you covered with some etymological entertainment in a few of my posts published around the web. Be advised: some strong language ahead. Ever wonder what the A in fucking A stands Read more.
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“Recipe”: it’s just what the doctor ordered
Worried about a culinary emergency this US Thanksgiving? Panicking about your menu? Sending out an SOS to Butterball’s Turkey Talk-line? Fear not: follow your recipes. It’s just what the doctor ordered, etymologically speaking. Recipe English vocabulary owes a great deal to Latin, as we know, especially as filtered through French. But there are some Latin words – as Latin words – hiding Read more.
Mashed Radish 