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.
Why Don’t We Know the Origin of the Word Ghetto?
Anatoly reviews possible origins of the word ‘ghetto.’
Monthly Gleanings: February 2009
Anatoly answers questions.
Grass Widows and Straw Men
Anatoly considers the origins of the phrases ‘grass widow’ and ‘straw man.’
Monthly Gleanings: January 2009: Part 2
Anatoly’s second installment of January gleanings.
Monthly Gleanings: January 2009
Anatoly’s January gleanings.
An Etymologist As Lord of the Flies,
Or, Chicanery and Shenanigans All Over the Place
Anatoly looks at the origin of the word “chicanery.”
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.
Conundrum: A Cold Spoor Warmed Up
Anatoly looks at the possible origins of the word “conundrum”.
Monthly Gleanings: November 2008
Anatoly’s November gleanings.
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).
An Obscure College Professor Visits a Small Animal Farm
Anatoly looks at features of Indo-European languages.
Monthly Gleanings (September 2008)
Anatoly answers questions.