The Oddest English Spellings, or, The Future of Spelling Reform
Is the spellchecker compromising language history? Anatoly weighs in on spelling reform.
The Origins of Buzzwords
Anatoly looks at everyday buzzwords.
A Word in Season: Blizzard
Anatoly looks at the origin of the word “blizzard.”
Monthly Gleanings
Anatoly answers questions that have come up throughout the month.
Year In, Year Out
Anatoly divulges how seasons make up the year.
A Few Shining Examples
Anatoly looks at strong and weak past participles.
In a State of Denial, in the Negative Mood
Anatoly takes a look at negative prefixes.
Monthly Gleanings
Anatoly answers readers’ questions and looks at the origins of bigot.
On Being Pretty Ugly: A Nice But Quaint Oxymoron
Anatoly explores pretty’s myriad of meanings from unlikely origins.
Sneak—Snack—Snuck
Anatoly uncovers how sneaked became snuck.
A Troubled Marriage Between A Skeptic and an Ascetic, or, The Oddest English Spellings
How did we ever come up with the spelling for scythe? Anatoly looks at the history of conjoined letters “sc”.
Monthly Gleanings
Anatoly answers this month’s questions and explains the intriguing history of the words element and hocus pocus.
The Oxford Etymologist goes Trick-or-Treating
Anatoly prepares for Halloween with the origins of witch.
“From the North So Dear To Southern Climes”
Anatoly looks at north and south.
The Light From Gig on Quiz
Anatoly Liberman looks at the origin of the word “gig.”
Quizzes and Gigs
Anatoly delves into word history for our entertainment.