A Word or Two

Laundry List Apotheosis

Laundry List Apotheosis

Why is a large, bewildering catalogue of names called a "laundry list," and why are such lists at the roots of writing?
doug
doug•
Shall We Have a Picnic, Cookout, or Barbecue?

Shall We Have a Picnic, Cookout, or Barbecue?

The Origins of Summer Outdoor Dining Vocabulary
talia
talia•
Book Nerd Rock and Roll

Book Nerd Rock and Roll

Get your speakers ready, because this will be much easier and more enjoyable if you listen to the music in the links.
talia
talia•
Magic Words that Will Eat Your Soul

Magic Words that Will Eat Your Soul

How to make anything sound scary for fun and profit
talia
talia•
Kid Gloving

Kid Gloving

A few of the faces glimpsed from the time-travel train while researching "handle with kid gloves"
doug
doug•
Per astra ad aspera

Per astra ad aspera

The Earth's "Arctic" makes etymological sense when you know the word was made to fit the stars
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doug•
The Dark Ages

The Dark Ages

St. Isidore of Seville is commonly pictured with bees or pens, which are much alike
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doug•
Burns Night 2026

Burns Night 2026

I promise you, haggis tastes exactly like meatloaf
talia
talia•
Oh the Places You Went!

Oh the Places You Went!

The main sources are under "sources," but here are snapshots of a few of the odder pools where etymonline has angled for words
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doug•