curated news for friends & family ™ 
curated news for friends & family ™ 
Adults can learn a second language as fast as children, reports a new study, and it's only the conditions in which a child learns a second language that's given kids a reputation as such fast learners. This means that adul... read more
While the exact derivation of the word is not definitively known, the OED posits that it's a combination of lam and baste, both of which bear the sense (now archaic for both words) to beat soundly. Other sources agree. And lam... read more
Fascism is not an ideology, it's a means to power -- Benito Mussolini
According to Merriam Webster online, it means: a political philosophy, movement, or regime... that exalts nation and often race above the individual...... read more
This first one, lexico.com, is a great site on this subject, though a LOT of the words they list are never used by anyone but dilettantes (from the French and, surprisingly, not listed there). 20-best-foreign-loanwords-in-englis... read more
Judging by foreign-language TV shows-movies I've watched, a few English and-or American-English words - mutterings - phrases that now seem universal, no matter which language you speak are: "Mm-hmm" or "uh-huh" - meaning "yes"; ... read more
Almost everyone uses the word "whom" incorrectly. "Whom" is ONLY correct when following a preposition as in "of whom," "to whom," "from whom," etc. That is the ONLY time you use "whom" instead of "who." And, yes, even your English ... read more
This might be useful: title-case-capitalization Title case is one of the conventions used for capitalizing the words in a title, subtitle, heading, or headline: capitalize the first word, the last word, and all major words in be... read more
One-third (now one-sixth) of one percent does not constitute an epidemic, let alone a pandemic . Semantics, I know, but can they not even get the language right?330,102,000 population (see census.gov)2,800,000 cases... read more
The simple gadget dramatically improves the wearer's ability to learn new words, say the University of Pittsburgh team behind the research new... Go to Earbud-like-device-claims-boost-linguistic-skills-zapping-ear.html... read more
In a word, no. See style.mla.org/capitalizing-names-of-dog-breeds Do not routinely capitalize the names of dog breeds. Many breed names are composed of proper nouns that you capitalize like Boston and generic terms (like retri... read more
When is that spelling- and grammar-checking feature coming to Facebook, Instagram, etc.? Oh right, they probably don't want to insult 90% of their users. Never mind. It's not that my own (or anyone's) grammar and pun... read more
This is pretty old, from the old newsletter in 1992, when the Soviet Union still existed, but it's still funnyHow English is Being Used in Different Parts of the WorldIN A TOKYO HOTEL: Is forbitten to steal hotel towels ple... read more
Useful site here: Word Hippo. Thesaurus and word tools for your creative needs. ... read more
I used to be able to spot junk email by its bad grammar, spelling and punctuation. Now, even "legitimate" emails often fail the test. It makes the grammar Nazi in me very sad.... read more
In addition to honoring our veteran's, how about if we honor our teachers who taught us punctuation, spelling, and the difference between possessive and plural? :)... read more
OK, people, the word is "led" (when pronounced "led") not "lead" unless you're referring to the metal. I'm not surprised to see this in social media where it's ... read more
Wow, I want one of these! Real-time language translation device whispers into your ear in real time as it's listening to the person speaking.... read more
Trampoline ends in ine not ene as I had thought. Just FYI for next time someone tells you that's the wi-fi password and you can't get online to look it up. :)... read more
Very cool! scientists-reveal-that-dolphins-speak-in-a-holographic-language/ UPDATE: The commenters are mostly unconvinced.... read more
I love how my daughter, Elizabeth, 9, makes up words. Tonight I was complimenting her on what a good fruit smoothie she'd just made. I said she should always try to remember how much of each ingredient she used so she can ma... read more
That must be some fast signing. I'd like to see that. I guess they show the beat by tapping their feet? It's got me curious.We are SO excited to tell y'all that Musical Sign Language Interpreters will be at this weeks s... read more
I solved an old mystery today, thanks to one of the Russian language podcasts I've been listening to lately. It's a phase I'm going through. I'm starting to listen to Hindi, Chinese and Brazilian Portuguese, too. I ... read more
Language-related articles on this site Names in their own tongue and script, Language names in their own tongue and script The table shows native/local names for languages in their own scripts, or autoglottonyms. You can cli... read more
Wordnik. Cool website for those who like words. I love how they provide samples from articles on the internet. And they provide an explanation/definition to links (if you click it) like the one above. It claims to be the most co... read more
(DING-kuhm)Dinkum, also dinky-di, fair dinkum, adjectiveTrue; honest; genuine. Etymology: Probably derived, like many other Australian words, from English dialect. The counties of Lincolnshire and Derbyshire had a word or dincum... read more
Our word of the day is parsimonious (par-si-MO-nee-uhs)adjective: Excessively sparing or frugal. Etymology From Middle English parcimony, from Latin parsimonia, from parcere (to spare). First rec... read more
There is an old hotel/pub in Marble Arch, London which used to have gallows adjacent. Prisoners were taken to the gallows (after a fair trial, of course) to be hung. The horse-drawn dray carting the prisoner was accompanied by an a... read more
Every year, English teachers from across the USA can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country. He... read more
In a public restroom
Toilet Out Of Order. Please Use Floor Below
In a laundromat
Automatic Washing Machines
Please Remove All Your Clothes When The Light Go... read more
