So there’s a news article about language and the journalist interviewed… linguists! Actual, real life linguists! I know, I’m as shocked as you are. Does this mean the field of linguists has…
Do we really not say “you’re welcome” anymore?
What’s in a Name: Named by an Outsider
An exonym is a name given to people, places, or languages by an outside source. A clear example is the Berber people of Africa, who were named after “barbaria,” which is the Greek word for “land of the barbarians” and referred to all non-Greek nations.
Repost: Tracing words back through time
Back in the mid 1990’s when I was studying at SOAS, one of the classes that I most enjoyed were those given by Professor Alexander Piatagorsky. He is said to have been […]
Saving Face: Jon Stewart vs. Tucker Carlson
You have likely heard the term “saving face” in regards to maintaining some sort of dignity or reputation following a negative event. The sociologist Erving Goffman borrowed from the previously informal phrase for […]
10 Weird Words: Portmanteaus
The second installment of 10 Weird Words, featuring the vulgar history of wuss and the founding of Adidas by Nazis.
10 Weird Words: Surprising Roots
Sinister: from the Latin “left” because of the evil connotations of omens “on the left,” emphasized further by Latin Mass. Adds a fun layer to the hyper-Christian, left-handed Ned Flanders and the title character of “Dexter,” the Latin word designating the right-handed, good omens.
The Origins Of English
Originally posted on Nicholas C. Rossis:
TED-Ed Original lessons feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Educator Claire Bowern and Director Patrick Smith have produced a great little…
3 Ways You Hear & Read Missing Words
Have you ever asked someone to repeat themselves, only to realize that you suddenly know what they said? Read something without realizing a word was repeated or misspelled? Heard words in an instrumental song?
Switching Accents on the Campaign Trail
“I always enjoyed watching Bill Clinton dial up his southern-fried accent as needed for a barbecue or down for a speech to the United Nations. But I cringed just as much watching Hillary Clinton try to do the same.”
