Words for a pandemic
Don’t worry, I don’t plan to write many posts about the COVID-19 crisis, but I thought I’d take a look at the words we’re using
Category: English
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In Vogue: shades of grey, parenting and fitness for busy people
I was looking through Vogue magazine last night, the British version, and a couple of articles caught my eye: one on “over-programmed” children whose days are
The Internet. The end of English as we know it? (2)
Did you watch the “English 3.0” video examining the question: is the Internet having a detrimental effect on English and on “standards”? Here are my thoughts on the question.
Casting a clear light on good writing: the TORCH rule
Italian journalist and author Beppe Severgnini has come up with a rule for good writing. It’s the PORCO rule: Pensa, Organizza, Rigurgita, Correggi, Ometti (Ponder, Organise, Regurgitate, Correct,
The Internet. The end of English as we know it?
“English 3.0”, a 20-minute video by documentary film-maker Joe Gilbert, “explores how the internet has influenced the way we communicate today and whether the changes
The Scottish Referendum. Words for thought (2): “solidarity”
First of all, a warning to readers. I normally try to keep this blog a-political and to focus mainly on language issues. However, I feel
The Scottish Referendum: words for thought (1)
As you’re probably aware (you certainly will be if you live in Scotland or one of the other UK countries!), on 18 September people on
The meaning of happiness
Today is the International Day of Happiness so websites and blogs will probably be awash with videos featuring “Happy” by Pharrell Williams (or check out the 24-hours of
Who’s not happy with “selfie” as Word of the Year?
What do you think of the Oxford English Dictionary’s choice of “selfie” as Word of the Year for 2013? I’m not mad about the word
Happy burger day!
Today is apparently National Burger Day. For those of us more interested in words than in food (who am I kidding?), here’s the etymology of