Tag Archives: American history
The Great American Blue Jean Posted by Gary Locke on Mar 29, 2018
Spoiler alert: It’s only partly American. They have been called the world’s most popular article of clothing. According to the latest statistics, almost 1.25 billion jeans are sold worldwide each year. They have been immortalized by cowboys, greasers, and rock stars. World leaders wear them, as do children. We know them also as dungarees and…
10 English Words Borrowed from Indigenous Americans Posted by Gary Locke on Feb 2, 2018
A surprising number of words in our English vocabulary can be traced back to the indigenous tribes of the Americas. These are the inhabitants of North and South America before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Close to 85% of all English words are originally derived from just three other language sources. According to surveys cited…
20 Great American Cities (Part One) Posted by sasha on Jan 29, 2018
There are many great cities in the USA. From the capital of DC all the way to the glitz and glamor of LA, there are incredible cities all over the country. Most cities in the US have their own unique nickname, such as the Big Apple for New York or the Windy City for Chicago…
Songs of the Season: White Christmas Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 8, 2017
I don’t know about you, but for me, the best thing about the holiday season is probably the music. There’s something for everybody, from choral to jazz to carols from all around the world. You might hear Kwanzaa chants or Chanukah songs for all ages. But, of course, in English-speaking countries, the most common songs…
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…
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…
Celebrating Thoreau Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 13, 2017
Henry David Thoreau was born in July 1817. He was one of the greatest minds in US history. Thoreau was an essayist, poet, philosopher, naturalist, historian, and social critic, and has continued to serve as an inspiration to people all over the world. His friend, poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, eulogized Thoreau by saying, “The country…