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A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals
Plus, some truly delightful collective terms for people, from a “rascal of boys” to a “superfluity of nuns.”
Nov 24
•
Jack Shepherd
24
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A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals
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6
The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names
Or, why Lewis Carroll was almost called Edgar Cuthwellis.
Nov 3
•
Jack Shepherd
21
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The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names
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2
September 2024
This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is
The strange and fascinating conundrum of Is-Is-ification.
Sep 29
•
Jack Shepherd
9
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This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is
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5
Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors
Plus, the heartbreaking origin of “Wendy.”
Sep 15
•
Jack Shepherd
24
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Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors
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1
A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation
Or, how to win someone over with your cheeky opinions about reduplication.
Sep 8
•
Jack Shepherd
16
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A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation
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2
June 2024
OK, ok, O.K., okay, Ok! Which is it?
And what does it even mean?! A brief celebration of the most common word no one knows how to spell.
Jun 9
•
Jack Shepherd
20
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OK, ok, O.K., okay, Ok! Which is it?
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11
April 2024
My Favorite Cryptic Puzzle in a Long Time
Every now and then, something comes along that breaks the mold.
Apr 7
•
Jack Shepherd
10
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My Favorite Cryptic Puzzle in a Long Time
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3
March 2024
Wordle Starter Words for Dangerous Troublemakers
Let's see if we can make Wordlebot cry.
Mar 31
•
Jack Shepherd
22
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Wordle Starter Words for Dangerous Troublemakers
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9
The Bewitching Magic of the "Ass" Intensifier
An ode to the anal emphatic.
Mar 10
•
Jack Shepherd
23
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The Bewitching Magic of the "Ass" Intensifier
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10
What to Do When You’ve “Got the Morbs”
“Got the morbs” shows up to delight us every couple of years, but the dictionary where it comes from is a treasure trove.
Mar 3
•
Jack Shepherd
25
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What to Do When You’ve “Got the Morbs”
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3
February 2024
These Common Words Are the Result of a Hilarious Misunderstanding
I’m calling them “Splittybits.” Arrest me if you want to.
Feb 11
•
Jack Shepherd
25
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These Common Words Are the Result of a Hilarious Misunderstanding
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5
January 2024
These Lovely "Fossil Words" Are Hiding in Plain Sight
Wend, kith, vim … shebang!
Jan 28
•
Jack Shepherd
20
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These Lovely "Fossil Words" Are Hiding in Plain Sight
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12
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