by Kevin Burton The Burtons love a good farmer’s market. And the local weather has been conducive to attending the outdoor version. So this could happen pretty soon. Sign us up! A farmer’s market of course, is the much yummier first cousin of a garage sale. But what of a flea …
Category Archives: language
A “Knocker-Upper” Isn’t What You Think It Is
by Dictionary Scoop Social, economic, and technological changes, along with the emergence of new consumer habits, have led to the disappearance of certain jobs that were once popular and profitable. Here is a list of ten English words describing occupations and professions that are rare or have become obsolete: 1-Alewife Did you know that women …
Continue reading “A “Knocker-Upper” Isn’t What You Think It Is”
A Name For Nobodies (Like Me) On The Net
by Kevin Burton Have I been snickering up my sleeve a bit as Merriam-Webster slings names at various miscreants? Well, what goes around, comes around. This is the third and final post looking at “A Handy Guide to Ruffians, Rapscallions, Cads and More, 22 Charming Words for Nasty People” published by the …
What If God Saw Fit To Change Your Name?
by Kevin Burton The Bible records instances when God placed a person’s life on a significantly different trajectory, and drove home the point by changing their name./ We looked into some of those yesterday. For example, God changed that noted trickster Jacob’s name, which meant “supplanter,” to “Israel,” meaning “having power with God.” …
Some Charming Words For Nasty People
by Kevin Burton My assigned task was to write past-due notices to customers. Dry enough, but I had some fun with it. I was working as an office assistant at a photo lab in Columbus, Ohio. We were in the not-so-busy season, taking care of things that didn’t get done during the busy …
We Put Adjectives In Order Without Thinking
by Merriam-Webster Dictionary Are you game for some mind-reading? We can predict what you’ll do with the following task: Describe two houses. For the first house, use these adjectives: green, old, and big. For the second house use brick, square, and unusual. We’re pretty sure you came up with “big, old, green house” and “unusual, square, brick house.” …
Continue reading “We Put Adjectives In Order Without Thinking”
Language Of Love: Words For Valentine’s Day
by Merriam-Webster Dictionary Romantic: marked by expressions of love or affection; conducive to or suitable for lovemaking; a person of romantic temperament or disposition (noun) We associate this word with sweetness and love, but it emerged from the conquering powers of the Roman Empire. The expansion of ancient Rome created various dialects of Latin called …
Continue reading “Language Of Love: Words For Valentine’s Day”
Double Trouble: 11 Plural-Only Words
by Dictionary Scoop Some words just can’t be left alone. You can have a pair of glasses, climb the stairs, or dip into your savings, but try talking about just one “glass,” (for your eyes) “stair,” or “saving,” and it suddenly feels a bit off. These 11 common words exist only in the …
Pigeons And Doves: A Valentine’s Day Primer
by Kevin Burton You’ve heard of rose-colored glasses? You’ve heard of beer goggles? You’ve heard of “I only have eyes for you, sh-bop, sh-bop? Well it’s Valentine’s week and here on Page 7, for the occasion, we’re going to do a little bird watching. Stay with me now, for as the kids say, …
Continue reading “Pigeons And Doves: A Valentine’s Day Primer”
These Sayings Don’t Mean What They Used To
by Dictionary Scoop We toss around old sayings without giving them a second thought. However, many of them once meant something entirely different than what we are trying to say. Over time, words drift, idioms evolve, and what started as a literal warning becomes a cultural cliche. Let’s rewind the dictionary and see how these …
Continue reading “These Sayings Don’t Mean What They Used To”
Page 7 