You can have lovely buttered toast for breakfast, but you can also raise a toast to someone. Why do we use the word toast in such completely different ways? Continue reading
A Toast!
English language thoughts
Of Course!
Anyone who writes fairly regularly develops certain habits. Repeated words, expressions, stylistic tricks. I’ve noticed that as I write, there are certain things I keep doing. Like using of course a lot, for example. Continue reading
Ready, Steady, Stop!
You might understandably be confused if you heard someone say this. At least if you’re in an English-speaking country. Continue reading
Counsel or Council?
It’s spelled counsel, of course. Look, I could easily write a lot of words about how stupid Donald Trump is. Mostly because it’s true. But instead, let’s have a look at why the poor man has such trouble with the word counsel.
“A Regular is a Medium: Is That OK?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
The preceding, electrifying exchange occurred this afternoon, as I ordered a cappuccino at a well-known coffee shop. When the barista asked which size I wanted, I said regular, meaning not large. I had actually thought about this, because I overthink everything. Continue reading
Why does Q Need U?
Q is unique among the letters of the English alphabet in that it always has to be partnered with another letter (not counting loanwords like Quran, Qatar, and Iraq).
Why does it always have to be followed by a U? Continue reading
Join the Queue
Or, get in line, if you’re of an American persuasion.
Queue is an interesting word. Continue reading
English-Language Thoughts 