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Category Archives: Grammar & usage
The origins of English place names
I’ve always been fascinated by place names. Annoyingly, I’m not very good at remembering the information. When I lived in North Yorkshire, there were many pairs of places that did not quite join up with each other. I lived in … Continue reading
Why do we say tiptoe?
There are some interesting linguistic meanderings in this debate. Why do we say tiptoe, not toetip? Visit my websites via the links at the top of this page.
Join in with #wordswhereyouare
This is an interesting one. The OED are asking for help to identify and record the words, phrases, and expressions particular to where you live or where you are from. Which should be interesting? I remember when I was at University, … Continue reading
How the oceans got their names
Here is some interesting background to how the oceans got their names. Visit my websites via the links at the top of this page.
7 common errors your PC will not catch
People say that technology is making people redundant all over the place. Well, automated things can do a lot, but at the moment you still get howlers like these: nursing the accurately ill. We meant acutely. the quorum for any … Continue reading
The moon is green cheese
Here is some background to that odd phrase about the moon being green cheese. Which always seems odd. Why would green cheese spring to mind when you are trying to describe something? How times change… Visit my websites via the … Continue reading
The difference between affect and effect
Many people get confused about affect and effect. Once you have written one of these words, somehow it looks wrong. Looking it up often doesn’t help. If you are already confused, working out whether you are dealing with a verb or … Continue reading
Words associated with salt
Here is a really interesting piece about words associated with salt. Visit my websites via the links at the top of this page.
Some word histories
Time for some word history: Loggerhead Dope Draw a line in the sand Visit my websites via the links at the top of this page.
Hoity-toity and gibberish
Yes, I know it is an odd combination, but I just happened to come upon these two posts: Hoity-toity Gibberish Visit my websites via the links at the top of this page.
