From Merriam-Webster ‘Ask the Editors’
As the son of two lexicographers I enjoyed this.
Also see Why Is There an X in Xmas?
Xmas v Christmas
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Tag Archives: linguistics
When Prehistory became History
The Dawn of Writing. An exhibit at the Oriental Institute.
I have been interested in this for a very long time. When I was in High School (1964-1968) I spent many hours at the Oriental Institute.
Why the Germans do not speak a Romance language
Is it a language, or not??
Jings! Crivens! Most Scots dinnae think Scots is a language at all.
Both of my parents were linguists, so I regard this, as the Buddhists say, as “a question tending not to edification.”
The rehabilitation of a useful phrase
The “Rule of Thumb for Wife-Beating” Hoax
The Straight Dope
The Phrase Finder
Chowder, Gig, Pipsqueak, Mayhem, Nonplussed and The Real Rule of Thumb
No Uncertain Terms
Origin(s) of “Rule of Thumb”
European Men Profeminist Network
Apparently back in the 1700’s some judge said there was such a law, and the story has been freely passed on from then without being checked. In fact the ordinary innocuous usage is considerably older.
I am pleased that the phrase can be used again. “Heuristic” is just too geeky in most circumstances, even for me.
(Following up on a Facebook note by my old friend Sister Edith Bogue)
A note on Tuesday, especially for English majors and lawyers
Ann Althouse links to Oaf of Office
She then adds her own perspective from the legal world:
But let’s remember that Barack Obama was the president of the Harvard Law Review — that is, the editor-in-chief — while John Roberts was the managing editor. For those of you who know law reviews, that means a lot. The managing editor is typically the person with the most intense interest in the details of grammar and usage. It would be cool if we could know that when Barack Obama paused after John Roberts moved the “faithfully” that he was thinking: I can see what you’re up to, you old managing editor, and I know you are wrong.
Words for a common holiday condition
Oops!
Walk the Talk
English at Minnesota (pdf). Article about my mother on page 9.
The Limits of Linguistics
“….we are generally powerless to interpret reincarnationspeak and yogababble.”
Via Ann Althouse
From Hilbert Space to Dilbert Space, and beyond 