Browsing All Posts filed under »Colour Section«
Is ‘news’ an acronym?
This shouldn't be news to anyone that the word 'news' could ever be an acronym.
The longest known English word
June 13, 2017
The longest known English word will surprise you because it's uncharacteristically shorter than many thought.
Lacka-lacka-lack: Lack of vs. lack in
November 22, 2016
Comments Off on Lacka-lacka-lack: Lack of vs. lack in
We lay down the score on the difference between 'lack of' and 'lack in.'
Time of the day
November 17, 2016
Comments Off on Time of the day
Stop being ambiguous and call your time of the day a spade.
Didn’t do, or didn’t didn’t do?
August 6, 2015
Comments Off on Didn’t do, or didn’t didn’t do?
By the laws of the planets and logic, "didn't do nothing" means "did something." Only if you're language course is called "maths."
Origin of the name ‘grammar nazi’
May 10, 2015
Everything you almost wanted to know about the name 'grammar nazi,' when my grammar is gooder than yours.
Why the stars in ‘bad’ words?
October 21, 2014
Comments Off on Why the stars in ‘bad’ words?
Isn't it a bit hypocritical to use 'stars' to hide some letters in a foul word, when we all know what the word is anyway?
The height of control
May 23, 2014
Comments Off on The height of control
Are there any grammatically sound sentences in English where every word starts with the same letter?
Missing the point … again
December 14, 2013
Comments Off on Missing the point … again
Learn to be easily blindsided by recourse to hidebound rules. Some lack of rules are meant for profit-taking, my friends.
Pad, but think of your audience too
August 28, 2013
Comments Off on Pad, but think of your audience too
Padding is necessary sometimes, but bear in mind WHY your readers are reading your stuff. (Some adult language in post.)
Nothing but a quimming linguanophile
July 3, 2013
Comments Off on Nothing but a quimming linguanophile
The newest entry in our Glossary is 'linguist,' we'll have you believe...
Cured ham curated here
June 23, 2013
Comments Off on Cured ham curated here
We aren't alone in noticing the job-title inflation about the word 'curator' today.
‘Ninja’ really is invisible ninja
June 12, 2013
Comments Off on ‘Ninja’ really is invisible ninja
Probably the world’s only online explanation on the correct Chinese translation for the Japanese word "ninja."
The Economist: ‘Why so little Chinese in English?’
June 7, 2013
The Economist asks why English has so little Chinese in it. I ask why Chinese has near-zero English. I think my question is more heavyweight than The Economist's.
Mr Moneybags, here are the men you’re looking for
April 10, 2013
Comments Off on Mr Moneybags, here are the men you’re looking for
SEVERAL days ago my neighbour was looking for a heads-up on a couple of English phrases that have stumped him. Desperation was written all over his face. Here’s money in his pocket. My teenage neighbour is on the last nine yards of his decade-long school life now. I can relate to his feelings of desperation […]
You pay peanuts, you get … (A follow-up)
February 11, 2013
Comments Off on You pay peanuts, you get … (A follow-up)
It had to happen sooner or later, I suppose. On the first day of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Black Snake, no less), someone sent LEOS an email commenting off-site about our last post (“You pay peanuts, you get … a punch in the googlies,” 05 Feb 2013) that it was:— hard to […]
You pay peanuts, you get … a punch in the goolies
February 5, 2013
Comments Off on You pay peanuts, you get … a punch in the goolies
THIS was originally a post on The Naked Listener’s Weblog, dated 25 March 2011. I thought it’s high time to revive this as a crosspost here because I’m seeing the same kind of stuff is on the rise again over the past fortnight or so. (Parts of the original post have been amended for clarity, […]
The Italian Job
January 24, 2013
Comments Off on The Italian Job
IT’S NOT OFTEN that I visit non-English-language websites, mainly because of a couple of personally embarrassing factors:— My French, German and Italian have become pathetic, to say the least. I’ve forgotten all my Lebanese Arabic (since Lebanese consider French to be a native tongue for them). I’ve never properly picked up Farsi anyway because my […]
Fail: Who’re you quoting anyway?
December 17, 2012
CONSIDER this for a moment:— No names mentioned, but this newspaper is in an English-speaking country. It seems as if it’s quoting the tree, forcing the reader (even if momentarily) to do a double-take. It would’ve been better just to use the quotation as a blurb and be done with it. It’s a straightforward newspaper […]
June 20, 2017
0