Category Archives: Uncategorized

May 8, 2013 “Public” means of “of or pertaining to the people,” and its etymology is straightforward from a Latin term meaning the same thing. From etymology.com: public (adj.) mid-15c., “pertaining to the people,” from Old French public (c.1300), from … Continue reading →

October 7, 2012 On Language Log, Mark Liberman has a terrific post about how uses of the word “entitlement” have shifted from being predominantly positive to predominantly negative. He says, “The earliest cluster of uses of entitlement meaning ‘(rightful) claim’ … Continue reading →

September 19, 2012 Not making this up, as Dave Barry, would say, especially on Talk Like a Pirate Day: Arrrrrr!  And, you have a good day, too, matey.  I wish I could sometimes detect myself as a virus.  That would … Continue reading →

September 19, 2012 At a land trust meeting last night, I noticed some people were taking care in the use of the words “dirt” and “soil.” I would have used them interchangeably, but they clearly were not.  CountryMax explains: A … Continue reading →

April 12, 2012 Hat tip: Endless Simmer