Archive for 'News'
Juneteenth Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 17, 2021
The United States has two independence days. You are undoubtedly familiar with July 4th, commemorating the Continental Congress’ formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence. You would be forgiven for being less familiar with Juneteenth, marking the final, formal emancipation of slaves in this country. This is not a new holiday, nor is it a…
The Hill We Climb Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 21, 2021
If you are studying the English language, you could not find a better example of its power than Amanda Gorman’s poem performed at the inauguration ceremony for President Joe Biden. The Hill We Climb is filled with rich imagery and figurative allusions from culture, history, and the Bible. Gorman was writing her poem for the…
What is the White House Cabinet? Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 11, 2021
You’ve probably been reading about the White House Cabinet. But, what, exactly, is it? The President of the United States is the head of the Executive Branch of the government. He is therefore often referred to as the country’s Chief Executive. When a new president is elected, the search immediately begins for people to run…
Neologisms, 2020 Edition Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 25, 2020
As we near the end of another year, dictionaries and language nerds seek out the words that have entered our lexicology – the part of linguistics that studies the formation of words. These are neologisms, words that have recently entered our language but are only just beginning to be accepted as part of our daily…
American News Sources Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 5, 2020
With everything that’s happening in the United States and the rest of the world, nothing matters more than dependable news sources. We have learned to expect misinformation and alternative facts on our social media platforms. But what about newspapers, television, radio, and magazines? Who do Americans trust to provide them with unbiased reporting? I wish…
English Words in the News: Election Edition Posted by Gary Locke on Oct 22, 2020
Americans right now are thinking about the national election on November 3rd, and probably more than they would like to admit. Because of COVID, many of us aren’t leaving home, so we have little choice but to pay attention to the races in our states and across the country. Television ads and news programs all…
The Gadsden Flag Posted by Gary Locke on Oct 15, 2020
The United States is a country with many official flags on display across the land. But one flag, historically among the oldest, has had a fascinating and increasingly controversial history. This is the story of the Gadsden flag. Beyond the traditional American flag with its red and white stripes and the white stars on a…