June Ends (and so did May)
Anatoly Liberman chronicles the development of the “American variety of English” from its colonial origins through today.
The Evasive Yeoman
Oxford Etymologist, Anatoly Liberman, traces the roots of the word “yeomen.”
Can You Trust Your (Etymological) Dictionary?
Anatoly Liberman demonstrates the difficulty of tracing the origins of every day words–especially considering the lack of consensus among linguists.
English Is Astoundingly Like Russian, But What About French?
(The Origin of the Word Bistro)
Anatoly looks at the word “bistro”.
Monthly Gleanings: May 2009
Anatoly’s monthly gleanings.
Seething in Etymological Vacuity (The Story of Theodolite)
Anatoly looks at the word “theodolite”.
Wednesday’s Father
Anatoly looks at the origin of the word “Wednesday”.
I Say Draft, You Say Draught, Or, The Oddest English Spellings (Part 13)
Anatoly analyzes some interesting differences in spelling and pronunciation between American and British English.
Monthly Gleanings: April 2009
Anatoly answers questions.
The Oxford Etymologist Looks at Race, Class and Sex (but not Gender), or, Beating a Willing Horse
Anatoly investigates the origin of the word ‘race.’
Peace and War (Two Gifts from France)
Anatoly muses on the origins of the words ‘peace’ and ‘war.’
On Spoons, Forks, and Knives
Anatoly deliberates the origins of the words ‘spoon,’ ‘fork,’ and ‘knife.’
No Subject is Too Petty for an Etymologist, Or, Pets from North to South
Anatoly explores the origins of the word ‘pet.’
Monthly Gleanings: March 2009
Anatoly answers questions about word origins.
Beating About the Gooseberry Bush
Anatoly explores the origins of the word ‘gooseberry,’ and its related phrases.
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.