Archive by Author
The American Cranberry Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 17, 2017
Consider the cranberry. Grown primarily in North America, the cranberry, with its vibrant ruby color, is the festive, decorative heart of the Thanksgiving table. Many, if not most, American homes will have some representation of the cranberry present during the final six weeks of the year. Despite its high acidity, it will be consumed by…
What You Need to Know About You Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 10, 2017
You is one of the most frequently-used words in our language, but everything about it can seem bewilderingly complex. Any native speaker of English understands that the personal pronoun you can be either singular or plural, and a subject or an object of a sentence. Unfortunately, to distinguish which usage is intended, it is imperative…
Phil Ochs, American Balladeer Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 6, 2017
“My pen won’t pour out a lyric line when I’m gone So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here” This blog occasionally pays tribute to notable influencers of the English language and its culture. Today we’ll explore a lesser-known, but astonishingly talented and complicated individual – Phil Ochs. In the 1960s…
Linking English Sentences Together Posted by Gary Locke on Oct 26, 2017
As you begin to learn a language, you start small. Words have one syllable. Sentences are short and basic. There is nothing wrong with keeping your words and phrases simple. People will understand you. However, you know that people don’t really speak in short sentences all the time. It just isn’t easy to know…
The (English) Language of Spies Posted by Gary Locke on Oct 19, 2017
They walk among us. If you spend enough time at an international airport, I guarantee that one will pass right in front of you. They hack, they listen, they watch from the shadows, they examine records, they find and exploit secrets, and they have been around for centuries. They are spies. In the most simplistic…
An American Classic: Who’s on First? Posted by Gary Locke on Oct 5, 2017
Baseball has been a part of Americana for over 150 years. It is celebrated in folklore, song, cinema, theater, art, and literature. It is also celebrated in comedy. There is one comedy routine which has been a part of American culture for 80 years, and almost every American is familiar with it. The old vaudeville…
Feeling Groovy! Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 28, 2017
When people politely ask me how I am, I frequently answer, “I’m groovy!” The most common response is, “I haven’t heard that word in a while.” It also brings a smile to their lips. Which, of course, is why I say it. People know what I mean, even if the word has essentially gone out…