I learned recently about the existence of kangaroo words: words that contain the letters of a synonymous word (in the correct sequence) within themselves. Continue reading
Kangaroo Words
writing
Jogging
I heard this word today, and I realised how strange it sounds. Especially when you could also say running. And I continued thinking: does jogging, the exercise, have anything to do with jogging your memory? Let’s see. Continue reading
Themself
I saw a video this morning entitled “Cute Dog Walks Themselves” (it’s a Sunday, I’m not busy). As is probably the case for you, the title seemed a little strange.
Dog, singular.
Themselves, plural.
The two shouldn’t really go together, should they? Continue reading
Pancake
It was Pancake Tuesday recently, but that didn’t inspire much pondering in me. After all, pancake is just pan + cake. A cake you make in a pan. But a few days later I thought about the word again. Continue reading
…And Called it Macaroni
You might know the song “Yankee Doodle,” even if you’re not American. One line might sound a little strange to you:
Stuck a feather in his cap, and called it macaroni.
Why macaroni? Continue reading
Pop Psychology 101
When watching American TV and films, as a younger person, I’d consistently be amazed at how often characters would refer to a college class such as Biology 101 or History 101. Such lazy writing, I’d think. Why do they always say the classes are in Room 101? Why doesn’t even one writer decide to buck the trend and set their class in some other room? Even just Room 102! Continue reading
Morbido
I come across the word morbido in my Italian comic-book reading now and then, and I can never remember what it means. The only thing I ever remember is that it’s quite different from morbid in English. Continue reading
English-Language Thoughts 