Memory – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “memory”.
On Spoons, Forks, and Knives
Anatoly deliberates the origins of the words ‘spoon,’ ‘fork,’ and ‘knife.’
Interning
Ammon Shea looks at the role of interns.
Akimbo – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “akimbo”.
No Subject is Too Petty for an Etymologist, Or, Pets from North to South
Anatoly explores the origins of the word ‘pet.’
Nine words you might think came from science but which are really from science fiction
We were pretty excited when ‘Brave New Words’ won the Hugo Award. Now that ‘Brave New Words’ is available in paperback we asked Jeff Prucher, freelance lexicographer and editor for the Oxford English Dictionary’s science fiction project, to revisit the blog. Below are Prucher’s picks of words.
War of the Thesauri
Do thesauruses fight?
Amendment – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “amendment”.
Monthly Gleanings: March 2009
Anatoly answers questions about word origins.
Oxford’s word window: week four
We are now in week four of our ‘Word Window’ series, in which we display an Oxford Word of the Week, in the windows of our New York Offices. Last week’s word was: ‘Rashomon’ n.: ‘Designating something resembling or suggestive of the film Rashomon.’ This week’s word is ‘Mondegreen’…
Spacemen and Anonymuncles Attack!
Old Words for Writers
Mark Peters resurrects some old words to describe writers.
Office – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “office.”
Beating About the Gooseberry Bush
Anatoly explores the origins of the word ‘gooseberry,’ and its related phrases.
Stew – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word is “stew.”
Everything is Tiptop
Long ago I wrote a column with the title “Tit for Tat.” Engl. tip for tap also existed at one time. Words like tip, tap, top, tick, tack, tock, tit, tat, tot, as well as those with voiced endings like tid– (compare tidbit), tad, and tod (“bush; fox”), are ideal candidates for sound imitative coinages.
Hostage – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “hostage”.