Tracking the Most Miniscule, Uh, Minuscule of Errors
Ben Zimmer looks at how non-standard spellings become accepted.
Fleeing Hitler: Searching For Memories
Hanna Diamond talks about research for her book.
There Are More Ways Than One To Be Mad
Anatoly is feeling a bit “mad” this week.
A 4th of July Barbeque Quiz
Andrew Smith, editor of the Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink, is here to test your knowledge of barbecuing in America.
Andorra
Ben’s Place of the Week is Andorra.
The Constitution and the 4th of July
Donald Ritchie helps us celebrate 4th of July.
Pot Politics: On Vaporizing
Mitch Earleywine looks at vaporizers.
Marketing Health: Doctors, Public Health, and the Smoking Ban
Virginia Berridge talks about public health warnings in light of the recent smoking ban in England.
Fresh Gardens
David Acevedo writes for the Buffalo Poets.
The Buffalo Return
I am excited welcome back the Buffalo Poets. We had so much fun with them during Poetry Month we invited them back to share their art once a month. Enjoy!
Not a Time for Soundbites: Tony Blair in Quotations
Tony Blair in quotations.
Tess of The D’Urbervilles: Nature Reflected
Can you think of other places in “Tess” where descriptions of nature accurately depict the mood of the characters?
Tess of The D’Urbervilles: Purity or Freedom?
Is Tess a pure woman? Why? Or does she, in losing purity, at least gain responsibility for her life?
Oxford World’s Classics Book Club: Tess of The D’Urbervilles
Is Tess a tragic character? What did you think?
On the Front Lines of English, from “Thirdhand Smoke” to “Newsrotica”
Ben Zimmer starts off his new column by looking at words like “Thirdhand Smoke” and “Newsrotica.”
Etymological Embarrassables
Anatoly looks at confusables.