Spinster – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “spinster”.
Conundrum: A Cold Spoor Warmed Up
Anatoly looks at the possible origins of the word “conundrum”.
Spa – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “spa”.
Monthly Gleanings: November 2008
Anatoly’s November gleanings.
For The Love Of Language
Ammon Shea wonders about our fear of reference books.
Doctor – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “doctor.”
A Plug-Ugly Relaxes And Plays Hookey, Or,
An Unnoticed Dutch Invasion
Anatoly Liberman looks into the Dutch origins of words.
Damp Squid: Hate Lists and Eggcorns
‘Damp Squid’ author Jeremy Butterfield on eggcorns and words we love to hate.
Reading Opening Lines
Ammon Shea has a reading dilemma.
Random – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “random”.
The Damp Squid Quiz: The Answers
The answers to yesterday’s Damp Squid quiz.
On Hobos, Hautboys, and Other Beaus
Anatoly explains why it is hard to find the origins of the word “hobo”.
The Damp Squid Quiz
A quiz on the original forms of common words and phrases.
Oxford Word of the Year 2008: Hypermiling
Do you keep the tires on your car properly inflated to maximize your gas mileage? Have you removed the roof rack to streamline the car and reduce drag? Do you turn your engine off rather than idle at long stoplights? If you said yes to any of these questions you just might be a ‘hypermiler’.
Winning Words and Losing Lingo
Ammon Shea looks at post-election words.
Bastard – Podictionary Word of the Day
The podictionary word of the week is “bastard”.