Said and Read

Words fascinate me. Their origins, their meanings, their evolution — all of that interests me, and has for as long as I can remember. Words are the building blocks of thought, and the pathway to other minds. They give us a way to externalize the complex and ephemeral thoughts and feelings that make each of us unique in the history and future of the world. In this blog, I’ll share my exploration of (and enthusiasm for) words, language, and communication. I’ll try for a good mix in trivia, tips, and observations.

 

The Ultimate Anagram

Feb 15, 2014 |

My brother is a software engineer who considered being a math major in college. I, on the other hand, make my living in words and rejoiced when I learned that I would never actually need calculus. Not long ago, he and I chatted about what sorts of things we randomly...

Henry James & Brain Overload

Feb 9, 2014 |

Henry James is one of my favorite authors, and one of my very favorite books is The Ambassadors. In certain circles, this is a polarizing statement – people who’ve read any of his novels quickly sort into two groups. I’ve never talked to someone who admitted...

Backpacking Across the Thesaurus

Jan 25, 2014 |

The way words filter through languages and culture and history is fascinating. Sometimes they gain nuance as they evolve, and sometimes they lose it. Tonight’s realization, prompting this little jot, is that knapsack, rucksack, and haversack – which most English...

The Unintentional Apostrophe

Jan 1, 2014 |

When I drove up to Pennsylvania to spend Christmas with my family, I passed a digital road sign that read, “Caution New Traffic Pattern’s Ahead.” Those signs – the Lite-Brite answer to Gutenberg – definitely attract attention. (I would like to know the statistics of...