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Winter Weather in the United States Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 6, 2017
January is typically the coldest month in the northern hemisphere, and therefore is likely to give us some extreme winter weather. Different areas in the United States experience winter storms which are unique to their regions. Each type of storm also has its own meteorological term. Let’s take a look at the different names of…
What is a Janus Word? Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 30, 2016
Every so often you, as a student of English, will encounter a word in a sentence that will seem utterly confusing. You’re going to think that it contradicts your understanding of that word’s meaning. Not to worry. There are, in fact, words with completely opposing definitions. Words which have two opposite meanings aren’t common in…
For the Holidays, a Rice Salad with the Colors of the Season Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 22, 2016
I like to entertain for the holiday season. I have hosted Christmas at my house for many years, usually have at least one holiday party, and may find myself cooking for other gatherings as well. Of all the things I serve, one recipe invariably gets shared with friends – my holiday wild rice salad. Wild…
Hygge and the American Dream Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 16, 2016
Hygge (n): a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. It is regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture. The Oxford English Dictionary, as it does every year, selects a “Word of the Year” from a list of ten finalists selected by its editors. This year, the…
What is a Pun? Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 9, 2016
A pun, or paronomasia, is a play on words which exploits the vagaries of language. Since many English words often sound alike, and have multiple meanings, puns are everywhere. A pun may be a joke, but not all jokes are puns. Jokes may contain clever wordplay, but they don’t have to. All puns are made…
Want Fun with English? Says You! Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 2, 2016
One of the great pleasures of any language is getting to play with it. Word games, brainteasers, puzzles and quizzes – they all have ways to both challenge and educate us. For over two decades, a radio show in the U.S. has delighted and confounded its listeners by having fun with the English language. Please…
A Corny Thanksgiving Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 23, 2016
Corn. The history of the United States is uniquely tied to this one crop. So, too, is our language. When the first English settlers arrived in what became Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 the colonists, unused to the rigors of agriculture, faced years of near starvation. They attempted to trade with the local natives for their…