Category: Language
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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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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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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](https://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…
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Two Words: Forbear / Forebear
We just discussed “forgo” and “forego”. The situation is similar with “forbear” and “forebear”. To forbear is to manifest great patience under extreme difficulty or suffering. “Forbear” is a verb. Its noun form is “forbearance”. A forebear is an ancestor. With that extra “e”, the word normally is a noun. Your forebears are your forefathers…
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Two Words: Forgo / Forego
What is the difference between “forgo” and “forego”? Are these just alternate spellings of the same word? No, these are words with distinctly different meanings. And sometimes devilishly hard to tell apart. So let’s fix that! To forego (with an “e”) means, literally, to “go before”. That telltale syllable “fore” is our clue: It normally…