Grass Widows and Straw Men
Anatoly considers the origins of the phrases ‘grass widow’ and ‘straw man.’
Akimbo: An Embarrassment of Riches
A word, some scholars say, can have several etymologies. This is a misleading formulation. Various factors contribute to a word’s meaning and form. All of them should be taken into account and become part of the piece of information we call etymology, because words are like human beings.
Monthly Gleanings: January 2009: Part 2
Anatoly’s second installment of January gleanings.
Monthly Gleanings: January 2009
Anatoly’s January gleanings.
The Oddest English Spellings, Part 12
Or, One, Two, Buckle Your Shoe
Anatoly Liberman looks at the oddest English spellings.
An Etymologist As Lord of the Flies,
Or, Chicanery and Shenanigans All Over the Place
Anatoly looks at the origin of the word “chicanery.”
Helpmeet, Or Can Stillborn Words Prosper?
Anatoly Liberman looks at the story on the word “helpmeet.”
Etymology and Scandal
In the course of this month, two journalists have approached me with questions related to political scandals. My answers, neither of which has been printed in full, may perhaps interest the readers of our blog. They regarded the typicality of phrases such as Ponzi schemes, and using names as verbs.
Jolly Yule
Anatoly’s post has seasonal cheer.
What is Gibberish to One is an Etymology to Another
Anatoly Liberman looks at the origins of the word “gibberish”.
As Etymologists You Depend on Look-Alikes? Cool!
Anatoly Liberman looks at the origins of words that look-alike.
Conundrum: A Cold Spoor Warmed Up
Anatoly looks at the possible origins of the word “conundrum”.
Monthly Gleanings: November 2008
Anatoly’s November gleanings.
A Plug-Ugly Relaxes And Plays Hookey, Or,
An Unnoticed Dutch Invasion
Anatoly Liberman looks into the Dutch origins of words.
On Hobos, Hautboys, and Other Beaus
Anatoly explains why it is hard to find the origins of the word “hobo”.
Monthly Gleanings: October 2008, Part Two
Hello. In connection a previous post, I received two questions about the word ‘hello’. The first concerned the repertory of h-interjections in the languages of the world. In 1924 Ernst Schwentner brought out a booklet titled ‘The Primary Interjections in the Indo-European Languages’ (in German).