Swedish swearwords (or profanities or cursing if you prefer) tend to seem quite mild compared to the English. They tend to reference hell and the devil whereas the really bad English swearwords tend to reference sex. When hearing very… Read More ›
Vocabulary
Why does biweekly/bimonthly have two meanings?
The unfortunate answer is that it means both “twice a week” and “every two weeks,” and there is no “right” meaning. The situation is the same with “bimonthly,” which can mean “twice a month” and “every two months.” It all… Read More ›
Puns, feck and other minced oaths
I love the word feck. It is a very common minced oath in Ireland and is considered less sweary than the other F word.
My favourite English word: niddy-noddy
I have many favourite English words – serendipity, discombobulated, mellifluous, for example – but my favourite word is niddy-noddy!
Pants (UK), pants (US), pants (mathematical) and a pile of pants
Another potential for embarrassment between US and UK English In the US pants are worn outside your underwear: In many parts in the UK pants ARE your underwear: So, it may be inadvisable to say ‘ooh nice pants’ in the… Read More ›
Extirpation
If an animal goes to sleep during cold periods it is called hibernation. If an animal goes to sleep during hot periods it is called estivation. Because climate and geography influence language there is often not a word for both of them… Read More ›
