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One Word: So
Reader Paul Ruff notes that “so” is replacing “like” as the all-purpose, meaningless word with which to start a sentence. We used to hear conversations such as: “Like, I’m going skydiving tomorrow.” “Like, wow, that’s awesome!” “Like, without a parachute!” “Isn’t that like, dangerous?” “Like, I’m using Google Cardboard, silly.” Today it seems we’re more…
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Uncharted Waters
Of all the post election punditry I’ve read, one insight especially stood out to me: The critics of our new president-elect took him (a) literally but not seriously. His supporters took him (b) seriously but not literally. A thought occurs: What if it turns out we should have taken him (c) both literally and seriously,…
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R.I.P. Leonard Cohen
I don’t have a favorite Leonard Cohen song. I wouldn’t know how. If I had to pick five faves, however, one of them would be “Crazy to Love You”. Here’s the rendition by the mesmerizing Anjani Thomas: R.I.P. #leonardcohen. After God made you, Big Guy, He #brokethemold! None of us had to go crazy to…
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One Word: “If” by Bread
“If” by Bread is one of those songs where the lyrics can make your head explode – if you think too hard. Songs like that, of course, we aren’t supposed to think about. We’re supposed to turn off our brains and let the words wash over us. Mostly, I do just that. Bread’s “If” is…
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One Word: Rudyard Kipling’s “If —”
Could Rudyard Kipling’s “If—” perhaps be the longest English poem ever written about a single one-syllable word? Before discussing this, let me confess: Yes, I know how strange a question like this must make me seem, to my beloved readers! Who frets about stuff like this, anyway? The question isn’t important. But like lots of…
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One Word: 101
As a number, 101 is often assigned to the first, most basic course in a college-level subject. Statistics 101. Political Science 101. Composition 101. For this reason, it also has become, in English, a word – not just a number. It’s now a colloquial way of referring to an idea so basic that it should…
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Is Tika Sumpter the New Noel Neill?
Recently I nominated Tika Sumpter for the “Lois Lane” role pioneered by Noel Neill. What happened next is amazing. First, some background: Noel, age 95, died in July 2016. She played Lois as a kick-butt investigative reporter in the first Superman film series, opposite Kurt Alyn. She reprised that role in movies and TV, especially…
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One Word: Whisk
Casting about for a write-worthy word, my eyes fell on a whisk broom. “Whisk” – it occurs to me – is a wonderful word. It’s short (I like that), familiar (I like that, too), and vivid, by which I mean it conjures up a bright mental image. (I particularly like that.) Perhaps best of all,…
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![[MAILBAG] — Portmanteau Words](http://garymatthews.com/wp-content/uploads/Mailbox_portmanteau-980x192.jpg)
[MAILBAG] — Portmanteau Words
My recent article on portmanteau words prompted some noteworthy responses. What’s a Late Lunch / Early Dinner? From reader Linda Helms: “Rather than submit a portmanteau, I beg for one to be created; that is, the afternoon equivalent of brunch. I for one sometimes put off lunch until it’s so late that it becomes early…
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One Word: Portmanteau
A portmanteau is a word formed by combining meaning and partial sounds from at least two other words. Obvious example: smog. A mixture of smoke and fog, the word combines sounds from each. A portmanteau differs from a compound, which combines two complete words. Thus “motorhome” is a compound; “motel – meaning “motor hotel” –…
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Two Words: Foreword / Afterword
A foreword is a brief introduction to a book or other piece of literature. (Not to be confused with “forward” motion.) There’s no sharp dividing line between a “foreword”, a “preface”, and an “introduction”. You’ll find books (including some of mine) with all three! There also are books with opening commentaries that could justly be…
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One Word: Chemical
How I’d love to have a dime for every time I’ve heard someone express a liking for “chemical-free food” – or something similar. Let’s break this down: A chemical is any substance that can be defined by its atomic or molecular composition. That covers a lot of ground! Any element is a chemical, an element…