Dear Nerds, I just learned the word “overmorrow” for the day after tomorrow. Is there a similar word for the day before yesterday? –Lynda Touart *** A NOTE: This post would have been much, much more difficult if I hadn’t just found out that the Mobile Public Library gives patrons free (!!!) online access to […]
Help me please! Me and my friend write each other in secret code. But my brother always understands!! How can he do that? And how can I stop him??? From Emma *** Dear Emma, If your brother can read it easily, then your code is too simple. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Ask anyone […]
Happy Mardi Gras, Language Nerd! Why do the parade “krewes” spell “crew” with a k? Thanks! Gwen H. *** Dear Gwen, Happy Mardi Gras to you too! The word “krewe” is an American Mardi Gras original. Mobile, Alabama, had Carnival celebrations waaaaay back in 1711, when the “Boeuf Gras Society” tramped up and down Dauphin […]
Dear Language Nerd, These questions people are asking you have been easy. Chump change. Child’s play. I’m not impressed. Here’s a REAL question for you, and answer it if you can! Why do we say “uh-huh” for yes and “uh-uh” for no? Edgar F. *** “I can answer that question in eight sentences!” “I can […]
Dear Language Nerd, Ok, your article on Gangnam Style has convinced me that Korean is a language I need to know. How does the alphabet work? Thanks! Kerry-Ann G. *** Dear Kerry-Ann, I kind of adore hangeul, the Korean writing system, because all the letter shapes explain how to say the sounds. It’s the best […]
Dear Language Nerd,Why do we say stretched, fetched, and retched, but wretchèd? -Delphine Sultzer *** Dear Delphine, Because the first three are verbs and the last one’s an adjective. English has a lot of rules (shocking, I know) about pronunciation. We lucky native speakers use them all the time without ever realizing, and the regular-past-tense-ending […]
So, League of Nerds, since you alluded to it in your last fabulous post, why is the “th” sound so weird? -Eleanor D. *** Dear Eleanor, The “th” sound is the ruination of English-second-language students the world over, and its weirdness is so all-encompassing that we’re going to have to split it up. Let’s go […]
Dear Language Nerd, Help! My TA for my physics course next semester is from India, and I’ve heard his English is terrible. Any tips for survival, preferably with my GPA intact? -Thomas K. *** Dear Thomas, Here’s the first step: don’t panic! In fact, do the opposite. Prepare yourself mentally to have a difficult time […]
Happy New Year, Language Nerd! As I look at my new 2013 calendar, I’m wondering, where do these month names come from and what do they mean? Especially, is the “octo” in “October” the same as “octopus,” meaning 8? If so why is it the 10th month? Thanks! Mary M. *** Happy New Year to […]