We all know that words often change meaning over time. No one expects “answer” to mean “swear in response” as it did in Old English. But while they’re in flux, those who know a word’s original meaning usually consider it wrong to use it differently. Time goes on and either the new meaning becomes acceptable […]
Archive | Language/Lit
How Dare You Say Tushy in My House!
I would have thought that polite society goes only one way, which is down. That is, that over the years, more offensive words are allowable as people become used to them. For example, when I was growing up, no one said “ass” on tv, unless very specifically referring to a donkey. It just wasn’t done. […]
Shocking Truth
I’m as surprised as you are, but I returned the Sony Reader and asked for my money back. Amazing but true. In other news, I’ve just started reading “The Mighty and the Almighty,” by Madeleine Albright. Regardless of her politics, I think we can all agree that she’s smart, that she’s thought a lot about […]
Another Day in the Frontal-ZZZZZZzzzzz
Not long ago, I posted about a book that wasn’t written very well, but was so compelling in its content that all was forgiven. Unfortunately, I followed it up with one that more or less misses the mark. “Another Day in the Frontal Lobe,” by Katrina Firlik, sounds like an interesting read. Firlik is a […]
Why Haven't You All Bought This Set?
Shakespeare. Seriously. Under 90 bucks and free shipping for 38 little hardback books with ribbon markers. The books are solid and workman-like, not frilly, and they have good introductions, good notes, and are such an incredible bargain ($2.36 a book!) that I don’t understand why everyone hasn’t ordered them. Especially if you have smallish kids, […]
Two Nifties
Nifty number 1: The Sony Reader. I actually posted something about this a while back, but now I have one in my hot little hands. It’s really great at what it does. That is, it replaces the many pounds of cloth and glue and paper that you’d need to carry around in order to have […]
Maggots and More
Just finished reading Death’s Acre, all about the “Body Farm,” (which is the world’s only facility dedicated to understanding how human bodies decompose), and how the information gleaned from that facility has helped to solve crimes. It’s written by the founder of the body farm, Bill Bass, and a journalist co-writer. If you can handle […]
A Secret
Being in the middle of a good book is like having a secret. I occasionally look up from it, notice the people around me, and realize that they’re not happily lost in this other world the way that I am. Especially if the book isn’t a popular one. I’m sure that I’d feel this way […]
Blent
I’m reading Middlemarch, by Ms. George Eliot. I say “Ms.” to avoid the bad sit-com conversation about “George” being a man. You know what I mean: A: “Do you enjoy the works of George Eliot?” B: “Oh yeah, I read his stuff all the time. Can’t get enough.” A: “But. But. But, George Eliot was […]
The Opposite of Right
Is left. Or wrong. Does that mean that left = wrong? My wife received a call on the way home from a party, then told me about it: “He asked whether I’d left the party, because he’d left his scarf. I said I’d find out if anyone was left there.” Left = “departed,” then “didn’t […]