Tag: Indo-European

• The “best” and “worst” of 2016

  As the new year fast approaches, we like to look back on the best – and worst – of the previous year. Twenty-sixteen did great work of the latter category, which is why I chose 2016 as the ‘word’ of the year on Slate. But why is best called “best” and what makes worst “worst”?…

  John Kelly

  December 30, 2016

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• From grain to gain: the origin of “emolument”

  There is growing concern about conflicts of interests between Donald Trump’s businesses and presidency. These conflicts may violate Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution, the anti-aristocratic and anti-bribery “Emoluments Clause”: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall,…

  John Kelly

  November 29, 2016

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• Go Tribe!

  The Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs face off in Game 6 of the World Series tonight. As I grew up in Ohio, and as my family hails from Cleveland, I’m rooting for the Indians to bring in their first championship since 1948. Speaking of tribe (and putting aside the team’s racially controversial mascot), where does…

  John Kelly

  November 1, 2016

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• “Gossip”: a baptism by etymology?

  Did you hear about Brad and Angelina? Of course you did. Their divorce is hardly gossip: It’s news, thanks to the stature the celebrities have in our culture. But, as we do gossip about why the power couple split up, we’d be wise to remember the impact #Brangelexit will have on their children, especially as public…

  John Kelly

  September 23, 2016

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• From watchtowers to cellphone towers: the origins of “alert” and “alarm”

  It wasn’t just alarm clocks that went off on New York City cellphones Monday morning. Another noise also pealed: emergency alerts. The message, which The New York Times reports may be the first of its kind, was “an electronic wanted poster” for the since-arrested suspect of recent bombings in the area. Alerts and alarms haven’t just haven’t advanced in technology,…

  John Kelly

  September 20, 2016

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