Yesterday I promised you I’d explain why we’re so, well, free with how we use the word free in English. I’m sure you’ve been on tenterhooks since then, so let’s investigate. Continue reading
Free at Last
language evolution
Free Hat
I’m currently watching South Korea play Mexico (2-0 to Mexico at the moment). A few minutes ago, Mexico got a free kick, which made me realise how odd the word free can be in English. Continue reading
What’s the Difference Between a Jacket and a Coat?
When writing about Melania Trump in yesterday’s post, I realised that I’d written a few times in the initial paragraphs that she’d been wearing a controversial coat.
No, that can’t be right, I thought.
You see, it’s June, so surely she was wearing a jacket. Continue reading
Why do so Many Negative Words Begin with N?
No, not, nothing, neither, nor, none, nil, no-one, nobody, nowhere.
Notice a pattern?
Why do so many negative words begin with N? Continue reading
Lie or Lie?
Lying is bad. Except when you’re tired, and need to go to bed, in which case, it’s good. Continue reading
Hey you, Whitehouse!
I was listening to my newest musical purchase, Pink Floyd’s Animals, today (I’m hip to the music of 1977). Continue reading
There is or There are?
This isn’t something I’ve ever really wondered. For a native English speaker, which one to use is rarely in doubt. Sure some regional dialects might use is and are in non-standard ways, but if asked, most speakers of these dialects would know the “proper” form of the verb to be to use.
Which is why I was surprised to see the following headline on the BBC website: Continue reading
English-Language Thoughts 