Picture it: you are sitting in an English class and a teacher says “don’t use double negatives”. Double negative? What is a double negative? How can anything…… Read more “Double negatives in English – a big no no”
Category: History
Quora – What is the contribution of Samuel Johnson to the English language?
Read James Brooks’ answer to What is the contribution of Samuel Johnson to English language? on Quora While Samuel Johnson had other contributions, he is most well-known…… Read more “Quora – What is the contribution of Samuel Johnson to the English language?”
Quora – Why do certain “og” words — monologue, dialogue, synagogue — have that silent “ue” ending?
Read James Brooks’ answer to Why do certain “og” words — monologue, dialogue, synagogue — have that silent “ue” ending? on Quora These words have two specific…… Read more “Quora – Why do certain “og” words — monologue, dialogue, synagogue — have that silent “ue” ending?”
Quora – What’s the origin of the “-ward” suffix in English, in words such as “downward, eastward, toward”?
Read James Brooks’ answer to What’s the origin of the “-ward” suffix in English, in words such as “downward, eastward, toward”? on Quora The suffix -ward comes from the…… Read more “Quora – What’s the origin of the “-ward” suffix in English, in words such as “downward, eastward, toward”?”
Doublets (and Triplets) in English
Have you ever heard of doublets before? No, I don’t mean a type of old-fashioned men’s shirt used until the 17th century, I mean doublets in the…… Read more “Doublets (and Triplets) in English”
A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Francis Grose, Author of A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue Have you ever typed an unknown word into Google to figure out what it means and…… Read more “A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue”
A Brief Post on the History and Use of Scientific English
So you may have seen my post on The Basic Characteristics of Scientific English, but what is it all for and where did it come from? What is…… Read more “A Brief Post on the History and Use of Scientific English”
Great Vowel Shift
Have you ever wondered why English pronunciation is so difficult? Why are words written one way but pronounced in another? In addition to English’s bastard origins, there…… Read more “Great Vowel Shift”
The Most Important Word in the English Language and Its History
What is the most important word in the English language? How can we even begin to classify words in terms of their importance? What does that even…… Read more “The Most Important Word in the English Language and Its History”
English As She Is Spoke
(This post was inspired by a from Curiosity on English As She Is Spoke. This post is not sponsored by anyone, although it may read that way.…… Read more “English As She Is Spoke”