Tag Archives: American history
Hat’s Off to English Speakers! Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 22, 2017
English speakers wear several unique hats, all created within a few years of each other in the 19th century. You can tell a lot about a person by the hat they wear. In many cases, a hat will tell you where someone is from, what team they root for, their hobbies, interests, and even how…
The American Barbecue Posted by Gary Locke on Jun 1, 2017
It is smoke and sizzle. It is wood and fire and meat. It may be a pit or a drum or a homemade kettle, but it is where the magic happens. Carolina, Kansas City, Texas, or beyond, it’s barbecue American-style. Let’s get something out of the way immediately. I am not talking about grilling. I…
DARE to Learn American English Posted by Gary Locke on May 25, 2017
What if I told you that American English is so diversified that there are different words and phrases for the same thing not only from region-to-region, but even from neighborhood-to-neighborhood? Let me introduce you to one of the most remarkable dictionaries of the English Language. The Dictionary of American Regional English, or DARE, documents and…
Memorial Day History and Traditions Posted by sasha on May 23, 2017
The last Monday in May is a federal holiday in the US. It’s called Memorial Day, and it’s meant to honor those who died while serving in the armed forces. Let’s learn more about this important American holiday with some Memorial Day history and traditions. History This holiday was started after the American Civil War…
It’s Tea Time! Posted by Gary Locke on May 12, 2017
Tea is the beverage most closely associated with the English, so it is no surprise that the English language is filled with idioms and terms related to the humble, delicious brew. Let’s explore the curious case of tea and English speakers. I am a tea drinker. I rarely drink coffee, never drink sodas (or, as…
The Dying Art of Cursive in English Posted by Gary Locke on May 4, 2017
Cursive is any writing in which the letters are joined together in a flowing manner. In English, we call this penmanship in longhand. It is also known as writing in script. Whatever you call it, this is becoming a disappearing skill. The letters in English cursive writing always loop, eventually finding and connecting with each…
Where’d You Get That Drawl, Y’all? Posted by Gary Locke on Mar 17, 2017
Where did the famous Southern drawl of the American South come from, and why is it so often imitated? As I’ve mentioned before, I sometimes work in the theater. Lately, I’ve been in rehearsal for All the Way, a play about President Lyndon Johnson, and the passage of the United States Civil Rights Bill. I’m…