Let’s face it, deciphering lyrics can be a wild ride. Especially when you’re dealing with the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin. Take her iconic anthem “Respect” for example. For years, I completely butchered a key section. Instead of: R-E-S-P-E-C-T, take out the TCB I heard: R-E-S-P-E-C-T, take out the …
The data were gathered from weather stations around the world… I nearly spilled my coffee all over my newspaper A typo? No. Smith was not in charge of the department when the data were thrown away… I know all about the notion that data is plural. I have seen the complaints; but I …
When God created the English language He very sensibly took several words and made them nearly unrhymable. He did this to stop bad poets going on about love, life and the world. Though you can make it to hurled, you then get stuck with curled and furled. You can’t even …
Have you ever met someone so opposite you couldn’t stand them? Well, spare a thought for the poor fellow burdened with an antiscian. That’s right, according to dictionaries (reliable-ish sources, usually), an antiscian is your mirror image chilling on the other side of the equator, casting their shadow the other …
I once bought a Gillette Mach 3 Turbo razor. I made this purchase on the understanding that it would move at three times the speed of sound (it was after all invoking the name of Ernst Mach) and further that the razor would use the power of its own engine …
For decades, “champagne socialist” has been the go-to term for those who advocate socialist policies while enjoying a life of luxury. But did you know the French have an even more chic expression for this phenomenon? Move over, bubbly Britons, it’s time to meet “gauche caviar” (awkward caviar). Across the …
Admiral Edward Vernon, a British naval officer, left his mark not only on history books but also on everyday language and even the landscape of London. Let’s embark on a journey through his surprising legacy: In 1739, Vernon led a daring attack on Porto Bello (present-day Panama) with just six …
Alphonse Allais, a French artist and humorist who straddled the late 19th and early 20th centuries, carved a unique niche for himself with his playful and often absurd approach to both art and language. Allais’ work defied artistic conventions and embraced the unexpected, as evidenced by his infamous 1883 exhibition. …
Have you ever struggled to find a word that rhymes with “nth”? You’re not alone. This seemingly simple task reveals a fascinating quirk in the English language, a missing sound governed by the enigmatic Ingvaeonic Nasal Spirant Law. The search for a rhyme for “nth” initially seems futile, with “labyrinth” …
The word “extravaganza” boasts a rich history, journeying from its specific literary roots to encompass the extravagant displays of today. Originally borrowed from Italian, “extravaganza” first described a 19th-century writing style known for its excessive elaborateness. Victorian stage plays served as prime examples, often featuring fantastical elements and whimsical interpretations …
