Tag Archives: American English
Rewriting the English Dictionary Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 4, 2021
As you probably know, every year new words are added to English dictionaries. English is, after all, an ever-evolving language. Although, the editors of all the various dictionaries seldom agree on what words merit consideration and inclusion. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) for 2021, for instance, added the hyphenated word haggis-headed, which describes someone who…
Talking About Weight in English Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 8, 2021
It’s summer in the northern hemisphere and, for many, that means going to the beach. It also means fitting into a swimsuit. Which usually means that it’s time to lose some weight. Personally, I am grateful that there has been a trend in recent years to be more accepting of the way you look. People…
English Phrases for Saying “Good Night” Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 30, 2020
One of the first phrases we learn in any language is how to say, “Good night.” As with “Hello” and “How are you?”, saying “Good night” is not only an essential phrase but also something which can be said in many different ways. In English, we have some colorful ways to wish someone a good…
Top Ten for ’20 Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 23, 2020
We are just about at the end of 2020 and, yes, I can hear many of you saying, “Thank goodness!” We will none of us soon forget this year. There’s never been anything like it. The hardships that have affected all of us in one way or another will carry an impact for probably the…
Joint Possessives in English Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 10, 2020
Before COVID-19, sharing was considered to be positive and admirable. It was seen as an act of caring, kindness, and selflessness. Whether it was a dessert at a restaurant or a ride service to a hotel, sharing was a nice thing to do. But now, there’s a lot less sharing in the world. Unless you…
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…
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…