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These Common Animals Have Some Very Cool Alter Egos
A brief celebration of the humble arse-foot and some of her assorted pals.
Feb 1
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Jack Shepherd
14
9
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When I Found Out This Positive Adjective Was Originally a Comparative, I Was SHOOK
And you won’t BELIEVE what the superlative is!
Jan 25
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Jack Shepherd
27
5
4
The Definitive Ranking of Forgotten Microsoft Office Assistants (Excluding Clippy)
Also, Clippy is not his name.
Jan 18
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Jack Shepherd
45
7
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Some of the Most Fun Cryptic Clues Ever Written
Dec 3, 2023
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Jack Shepherd
20
4
3
"Lorem Ipsum" Has a Meaning
Jan 22, 2023
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Jack Shepherd
30
2
The Definitive Ranking of Forgotten Microsoft Office Assistants (Excluding Clippy)
Jan 18
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Jack Shepherd
45
7
1
7 Secret Portmanteaus That Have Been Hiding in Plain Sight
Aug 20, 2023
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Jack Shepherd
55
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5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid
May 11, 2025
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Jack Shepherd
32
20
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A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals
Nov 24, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
37
6
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Spooner Mixed Up More Than His Words
On "spoonerisms," a 19th century viral phenomenon, and the curious life of Reverend William Archibald Spooner.
Jan 11
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Jack Shepherd
17
2
5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid
New starter word: "Sloom." They can't stop you!
May 11, 2025
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Jack Shepherd
32
20
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A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals
Plus, some truly delightful collective terms for people, from a “rascal of boys” to a “superfluity of nuns.”
Nov 24, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
37
6
3
The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names
Or, why Lewis Carroll was almost called Edgar Cuthwellis.
Nov 3, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
27
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This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is
The strange and fascinating conundrum of Is-Is-ification.
Sep 29, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
10
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Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors
Plus, the heartbreaking origin of “Wendy.”
Sep 15, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
25
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A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation
Or, how to win someone over with your cheeky opinions about reduplication.
Sep 8, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
17
2
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On Words and Up Words
Word nerdery, fun language history, and word puzzles.
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