The republic of Turkey (look north of Egypt, east of Greece) isn’t exactly a breeding ground for the bird that Americans associate with Thanksgiving. In fact, the turkey is native to North America … so, why do they share the same name? Let’s get the word facts The word turkey has been used to refer to “land occupied by the Turks” since the 1300s and …
Perhaps you’ve heard of vocal fry, a quality of speech often associated with the likes of Kim Kardashian or Katy Perry. American media stories detailing vocal fry sometimes warn us that it’s damaging to our vocal cords, and that women who use vocal fry are jeopardizing their job prospects. As wonderful as it is that the mass media is paying attention to phonetics, much of …
The onset of autumn differs depending on whom you ask. For some, Labor Day marks the shift of seasons. For others, it’s when the dramatic harvest moon rises on the horizon. But traditionally, fall begins promptly with the autumn equinox. What is an equinox? The equinox occurs twice a year. The vernal equinox happens around March 21, when the sun moves north across the celestial …
The berry family is a linguistic invention particular to Germanic languages, like English. Other languages, like Spanish and French, do not combine the wide, diverse berry family into one group, but rather have very different words for blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. Where does the word berry come from? The word berry comes from the Old English berie, which originally meant “grape.” As the English language spread …
Science is real. Science is cool. Science uses a lot of terms that we all think we know. But, do we really know what we are talking about? In the spirit of scientific community and understanding, let’s clear up one big scientific misconception that we all get wrong … Pop quiz: Is it momentum or inertia that keeps you moving? Here’s a hint: In science, inertia is …
Independence Day fireworks generally get the “ooohs” and ahhhs,” but did you know that each type has an actual name? What’s a peony firework? The peony is one of the most common kinds of aerial pyrotechnic effects. It is named for a variety of plants with large, showy flowers. Old Farmer’s Almanac This firework has a starlike explosion that quickly turns into a bulging circle of …
Are you spending more time with your phone than your loved ones? Words matter . . . especially in the bedroom. Phubbing is the habit of snubbing someone because you love your phone more than them. If you choose to phub, you get no love. This PSA is brought to you by Dictionary.com
