The word for what Renn is nowadays is “vehement.” “Yyyyyyyyeah!” she will say in answer to any old question. Or “NO,” with her hand starkly out in front of her, fingers splayed and ramrod straight. Especially to the dogs if she is holding a piece of apple, or anytime she thinks of the squirrel that … More Yes Wegh

I was just eating a cannoli, lucky me, and admiring its crisp tubishness, and wondered suddenly if the word has any relation to “can,” as in the metal kind, often also tubish. And it does! Both come from Latin canna, a reed or pipe*. So, for that matter, does “cane.” While what I can find … More Can You Even

Hello, have you wondered about -monger as a suffix? The words “scaremongering” and”fearmongering” have popped up in my world as a parent lately–from other parents describing the landscape of available advice for teaching a child about using the toilet. I realized I think of “-mongering” in these instances as like “generating, amassing, and stuffing the … More Bewitched by Fish

First: Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar is here with me today to help make my point. Welcome, Kendrick! Now, I am pleased to announce a well-fed and beautifully groomed pet peeve of mine: when people upon whom a very clear honor is bestowed accept said honor by describing themselves as deeply humbled by that honor. … More Bah Humble