Idioms Straight From The Horse’s Mouth

by Kevin Burton    Today I am owning my farm-country standing and taking a look at some phrases we have exported to the rest of the country.    Merriam-Webster calls them “barnyard idioms.” I don’t love that name but I must admit some of these phrases are more than a little muddy.    From Kansas …

Words For Your Wild, Carefree, Summer

by Kevin Burton    Summer has not arrived but planning for summer has. Our friends at Merriam-Webster have provided some words that may or may not describe your 2023 getaway(s).    Frankly, I would avoid some of these, but that’s up to you: Jaunty adjective: sprightly in manner or appearance.    When jaunty first came into English use …

Words In Motion Gather New Meanings

by Kevin Burton   The friends you make later in life might be surprised to learn what you were like as a youth.    You’re older, we hope wiser, different is many ways for sure.    Some of the words we use go through a similar metamorphosis. Just as you might not be able to …

Oh My Word! Scrabble Goes Crazy

by Kevin Burton    If you read this column often you know I’m a Scrabble player. Guess I’ve become an old Scrabble player.    I used to laugh at my mom because she objected to some of the new words in the Scrabble Players’ Dictionary. I’m not laughing anymore.    I have the sixth edition …

Fruit Of The Spirit: Joy In Serving God

by Kevin Burton    The fruit of the Spirit is the outgrowth of a life surrendered to Jesus Christ and in consistent pursuit of His will.      Last month we went to Galatians 5:22-23 to look at that fruit (“Shopping For Fruit With Paul In Galatians,” June 12). We return to our series today to …

Put The Carpenters In The Hall Already

by Kevin Burton    Hope I’m not too early but I want to be the first to congratulate The Carpenters on their 2023 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.    It has to happen now, right?     I say this because some committee just voted Dolly Parton of all people, into the …

Of Past Glory, Duds And Small Things

by Kevin Burton    The first time I heard the word “dud” was in the context of fireworks.     Something you paid good money for didn’t work.  The promise of boom-boom, the reality of silence, or maybe a little hissing.    No bang for the buck.    Of course the term applies to many other …