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new
The word origins we encounter on this blog are compelling for a variety of reasons, I think. Oftentimes, an etymology takes us to some surprising places, like candy. Other times, it tells a fascinating story, such as turkey. With a word like new, though, I am struck by the word’s sheer durability. So, to bring in this New… Read more.
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twelve words of Christmas
I am excited to share another guest post I’ve composed for Oxford Dictionaries’ OxfordWords blog. The post, “Twelve Words of Christmas,” delivers some choice yuletide etymologies, turning up “fame-wolves” and “broken wind” and everything in between. Be sure to check it out–and enjoy the holidays. m ∫ r ∫ Read more.
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Strong Language
I’m extremely excited to share Strong Language, a new “sweary blog about swearing” masterminded and managed by James Harbeck (@sesquiotic) and Stan Carey (@stancarey). (Those two are tops; you should be following their work in its own right, to be sure.) Follow the project on Twitter, too: @stronglang. Strong Language has assembled an impressive and growing cast of contributors, from the indefatigable… Read more.
Mashed Radish 