word history

Total Recall

Niall O'Donnell 6 Comments

Recall is an interesting word by virtue of how simple its etymology is.

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Cryptocurrency

Niall O'Donnell 1 Comment

You’ve probably heard this term a lot recently, referring to digital currencies such as Bitcoin. What does that prefix crypto- mean though?

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Super! Smashing! Great!

Niall O'Donnell 14 Comments

Writing a post inspired by a Smashing Pumpkins song recently got me thinking about that word smashing.

Specifically, how in British English it’s used to mean great or fantastic. What’s the link between the most common meaning of the word (crushing/breaking), and this use?

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Tonight, Tonight

Niall O'Donnell 11 Comments

Why do we say tonight in English? When you think about it, it’s fairly unusual. Last night makes sense, and so does tomorrow night. But tonight? Where does that come from?

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Engrossed

Niall O'Donnell 9 Comments

Maybe you’re engrossed in a good book, or a film, or perhaps simply an interesting conversation.

Whatever it is, it’s something that’s got our full attention.

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Home

Niall O'Donnell 4 Comments

What makes a house a home?

I’m sure you all have very different and interesting answers to that question.

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I’m no Expert

Niall O'Donnell 13 Comments

It’s true, I’m not.

No matter how much I might sound like I think I am, most of what I share here is from my own informal research. Of course working in an English-language school helps, as does my own interest in language, but I could never claim to be an expert in any kind of official sense. Though, if you look at where the word comes from, then maybe I am…

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