Quarantine is not a word that we want to hear as it usually denotes a situation that is, albeit temporary, a medical emergency with an uncertain future. Widespread diseases that have given rise to decisions that quarantine is the only option have occurred throughout history. It is generally recognised as a given period of time whenContinue reading “Quarantine: a word hitting the headlines at the moment”
Tag Archives: English language
Brexit and Ukrainegate: different sides of the same coin
Which coin and why? For a start, it has nothing to do with politics.As it’s a Wednesday post from me, this is all about Words and the coinage of new ones from old. Both ‘Ukrainegate’ and ‘Brexit’ are words recently fashioned to conceptualise headline-grabbing issues. Their similarity is a semantic one in that they areContinue reading “Brexit and Ukrainegate: different sides of the same coin”
Happiness: just what is it?
At the beginning of a new year, a new job, a new relationship there will often be an accompanying wish for happiness.Happiness becomes a mantra for fulfilment. For contentment. For success. How did ‘Happiness’ get into our lexicon? The arrival was fairly straightforward; the path to its current meaning was less so. The root ofContinue reading “Happiness: just what is it?”
January: the month that looks both ways
January. First month of the year for many of us. What does it mean to us? Where does its name originate?
Winter’s on its way with some chilly words
I love words: reading them, writing them, saying them. With Winter less than two weeks away here is my picture image of chilly season words. Their hard sounds fit perfectly with the sharpness of ice, the rawness of bitter winds. Which words do you think encapsulate the cold of Winter? Are there words in otherContinue reading “Winter’s on its way with some chilly words”
Woody v tinny. Do you like saying some words more than others?
I love words. Especially rounded, woody words. Words that feel good in the mouth: sonorous, melodious. Basically my ‘woody’ words are softer, with individual sounds formed by the lips (like p, b, d, w) and often including ‘s’ or ‘sh’ – plosives, and sibilants. Harsher ‘tinny’ words tend to be formed by the tongue againstContinue reading “Woody v tinny. Do you like saying some words more than others?”
