“Don we now our gay apparel / Troll the ancient Yuletide carol”? I just realized I have no idea what I’m singing. And what exactly is gay apparel? -Kakewalk *** Dear Kakewalk, Pumpkins? In this case “gay apparel” probably just means cheery and colorful. Though if there isn’t already an online Xmas LGBT clothier called […]
Dear Language Nerd, What do the names of the days mean? Ok, “Sunday” I think I can guess, but “Tuesday”? Is “Friday” related to French fries? -Katon Lannis *** Dear Katon, Last year at this time, I talked about the meanings of the names of the months, so it seems apropos to start off 2014 […]
Dear Language Nerd, I know what a British biscuit is, but I gather that the American version is different. Are they a kind of scone? And why the change in meaning across the pond? Victoria *** Dear Victoria, Most of the differences between British and American vocabulary amount to mild amusements. “Tee hee, you go […]
Hello Language Nerd, A friend of mine recently bought a book that claims to list about two dozen fundamental words from the “first language,” when humans were still one small group speaking together. It says that all languages have words descended from these originals. My friend thinks it’s great, but I’m not convinced – didn’t […]
Dear Language Nerd, This Philosoraptor has perfectly phrased my question: Well? Yours, Laura *** Dear Laura, Whoa, that question has some “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo” mind-games going on, but the answer is definitely the second option: first you have the fruit, and the color gets its name from there. This is true of many […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Dear Language Nerd, I have some Christian friends who get really upset when they see “Xmas” in signs and things. Why do people write that, and why do others find it offensive? Thanks, Dawna S. *** Dear Dawna, The dislike of “Xmas” tends to stem from the feeling that it makes Christmas too secular. First, […]
Dear Language Nerd, I have a burning question about language! Is it “flammable” or “inflammable”? Yours, John R. *** Dear John, It’s both! But one is peskier than the other. “Flammable” and “inflammable” both mean “if you touch a match to this it will go up like the Fourth of July.” The “in-“ part of […]