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The Film Noir spoof began Oct. 18, 2011.
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"Lexie Kahn's" other identity is Judith B. Herman
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Have you tried to make a comment only to be told to log into your (nonexistent) Wordpress account? Make up a phony email to get in. Put your real email in the comment text if you wish. More info here: http://tagn.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/the-wordpress-com-requiring-you-to-be-logged-in-to-comment-issue/Blogroll
Monthly Archives: June 2011
Another Bouquet of Flowers and the Origins of their Names
In celebration of summer, here is another seasonal bouquet. Carnation. Does “carnation” have something to do with “incarnation” or ‘becoming flesh’? Some etymologists think so. “Carnation” is an obsolete shortened form of “incarnation” used as recently as 1993 by Gore … Continue reading
Posted in etymology
Tagged Anders Dahl, carnation, dahlia, delphinium, etymology, hydrangea, lavender, Mexico, orchid, word origins
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Invasion of the invasivores
I’ve taken the first step toward becoming an “invasivore.” You know about “carnivores,” meat-eaters like lions and hawks; “herbivores,” animals like rabbits and stegosaurs that survive(d) on plants; and “omnivores,” like humans and pigs that aren’t fussy. The “-vore” suffix … Continue reading
Posted in etymology
Tagged carnivore, English language, etymology, herbivore, insectivore, invasivore, locavore, magaherbivore, nectarivore, piscivore, planktivore, word origins, words
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The Bigs and the Smalls
In a recent column about KNBC-TV’s new 24-hour news and feature station, California Nonstop, Los Angeles Times media critic James Rainey refers to “The bigs at NBCUniversal.” The word “bigs” may sound strange, but the meaning is obvious. English, like … Continue reading
Posted in grammar, morphology (lingustics)
Tagged adjectives, bigs, Derek Smalls, English language, Harry Shearer, James Rainey, national adjectives, nationalities, nouns, smalls
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How Long Have We Been Modern?
“…And her workin’ in a saloon like any hussy.” “Oh, that’s not fair, Ma. We’re living in modern times. – … Don’t forget, things have changed since you were a girl. This is 1870.“ — In Old Chicago (1937) Speaking … Continue reading
Posted in etymology
Tagged English language, etymology, French language, mode, modern, movies, word origins
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“Cliché” and “Stereotype”
Much of printed literature is marked by clichés or stereotypes. I mean that literally. “Cliché” and “stereotype” are printing terms. As mentioned in a previous post, it’s unknown whether the word “click” came from French cliquer or German klicken or … Continue reading
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Lexie Kahn: Word Snooper 