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Recent Posts
- Star trails next to one of the oldest organisms in the world
- “Coffee” has a fascinating history
- Satisfying pipe cleaning
- Slicing a frozen cherry
- JWST saw a soot and diamond planet orbiting a gamma ray pulsar #space #astronomy #nasa #science
- The Disturbing True Meaning of Jack and the Beanstalk Buried for 5,000 Years
- Turn on the light, and it comes to life (credit: João Gonçalves)
- Pack it perfectly round with the label at the end
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Category Archives: English
Why do we say ‘bury the hatchet’?
[…] In this episode, Rob and Jess explore the stories behind a host of common sayings. 🪓 Does anyone actually ‘bury the hatchet’? 😈 Was there ever a ‘devil’s advocate’? 🔫 What is a ‘son of a gun’? 🪶 Why … Continue reading
How The English Language Will Never Be The Same Again: Anne Curzan
Why is English always changing—and why does that change so often make us uneasy? In this fascinating conversation, we’re joined by linguist, author, and University of Michigan Dean Professor Anne Curzan to explore how English evolves, who influences that change, … Continue reading
The English words nobody can explain
[…] Let’s explore some English mysteries. And go to https://ground.news/robwords to see how language shapes our perspectives. Save 40% for unlimited access to the Vantage Plan through my link. Some of the most ordinary words in English have origins that … Continue reading
Grammarian drops into Errorist’s secret L’error
Part III – The Grammarian saga continues . . . Professor Grammarian visits Misprint Manor to spring a daring trap for the diabolical Errorist. […]
Language Expert Answers Word Origin Questions | Tech Support | WIRED
University of Cambridge Research Fellow Dr. Stephen Turton joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about the logic (and many quirks) of the English language. Why are so many English words not pronounced the way they’re spelled? Why is … Continue reading
What did North, South, East & West originally mean?
[…] From mountain high to valley low, Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris are exploring the origins of geography words. 🐻❄️ Why are the poles called ‘poles’? 🗻 What is the difference between a hill and a mountain? 🧭 What do … Continue reading
How could one man write a dictionary? | SAMUEL JOHNSON
[…] Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary was one heck of an achievement. But it is also far from perfect. In this episode, Jess and Rob discuss some of the more amusing entries within its pages, and even the words that landed … Continue reading
Why is it called a ‘cockpit’? | AVIATION WORDS
Welcome aboard flight WU321 bound for Etymology Island. In this episode, Rob and Jess take to the skies and soar through the word origins of a multitude of aviation terms. ✈️ Is it an ‘airplane’ or an ‘aeroplane’? 🐓 Why … Continue reading
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