The post explores the use of chicken-related idioms to reflect human behaviors and hierarchies. It connects phrases like “pecking order” and “rulinh the roost” to social structures, while contrasting masculine and feminine traits through terms like “cocky” and “chicken-hearted.” It emphasizes the relevance of animal imagery in understanding human relationships.

An armed rhino poacher in South Africa’s Kruger National Park was trampled to death when a herd of elephants charged as he lined up a shot for the animals’ lucrative horns

On the BBC Radio 4 programme Unspeakable, Susie Dent introduced the Italian phrase "cavoli riscaldati," referring to futile attempts to revive old relationships. This phrase connects with the English idiom "to boil one's cabbage twice," both suggesting stale ideas or relationships. The discussion highlights language learning challenges and idiomatic origins.

The post explores various dog-related metaphors that reflect human social dynamics and hierarchies. It discusses phrases like "dog does not eat dog" and "dog-eat-dog world" to illustrate solidarity and competition. Additionally, it examines expressions involving rank, such as "top dog" and "underdog," while highlighting the rich imagery derived from dogs in language.

The author reflects on the metaphorical use of dogs in language, noting examples that express human emotions and behaviors, highlighting the cultural significance of these canine-related expressions in English.

E-taliano - Varietà di italiano scritto propria della comunicazione digitale – messaggi, chat, post, commenti – caratterizzata da informalità,…

Ever wondered why it rains cats and dogs? Why some are early birds and others night owls? Or why on earth a cat would wear pyjamas? English is home to a veritable menagerie of animal metaphors, simi...

AI systems can now improve themselves by themselves. Is this the dawn of machine superintelligence?

Up in the Nosebleeds

How artists extend or elaborate conventional metaphors was brought home to me forcefully and repeatedly while reading a detective novel Broken Ground[ii] by Val McDermid.

There's more to the story than you'd think.

The author explores the suffix "-arian" in words, using the Oxford English Dictionary as a rich resource. Notable terms include "flexitarian," "Trustafarian," and "antidisestablishmentarian," highlighting their meanings and historical contexts. The discussion reflects on language evolution, the charm of neologisms, and the cultural implications of these terms.

8 May 2026 An argument or statement that is sophomoric is pretentious and crudely reasoned (cf. sophisticated ). It is no surprise that it comes from sophomore , a word for second-year university...

King Kong, jim-jams and the Kit Cat Club all three illustrate a mostly unwritten rule of English about the order in which we put vowel sounds when we repeat consonant elements to make rhyming words or phrases. That rule is known as the rule of ablaut reduplication.

The text explores various types of -onyms, discussing their meanings and origins. It covers acronyms, pseudonyms, synonyms, antonyms, eponyms, toponyms, and more, explaining their significance in language and usage. The piece highlights the evolution of these terms and their relevance in modern communication while noting the playful aspect of naming conventions.

The discussion revolves around the use of the loanword "schadenfreude" in English. Although it originates from German, it has become naturalized in English. Opinions vary on capitalization and formatting, with most editors favoring lowercase. The complexity of loanwords highlights linguistic evolution and editing nuances.

The article explores the confusion between "defuse" and "diffuse," particularly in emotional contexts. While "defuse" means to reduce tension, "diffuse" traditionally means to spread or disperse. Although some dictionaries now accept the overlap, traditionalists argue it leads to incorrect usage. The debate highlights evolving language dynamics amid established definitions.

Nevertheless, journalists routinely use carthorse used to describe different classes of people, especially sportspeople. Those people are mainly men, but there are exceptions.

St David's Day, celebrated on March 1, honours Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, who lived in the 6th century. Though not a public holiday, many Welsh people don traditional costumes, eat traditional foods like cawl and bara brith, and wear leeks or daffodils. David was renowned for his teachings and miracles, and his shrine became a pilgrimage site.

Nevertheless, journalists routinely use carthorse used to describe different classes of people, especially sportspeople. Those people are mainly men, but there are exceptions.

The term "useful idiot" refers to individuals who, often unwittingly, support political ideologies they do not fully comprehend, thereby serving as tools for manipulation. Originating in the context of communism, it describes citizens of non-communist countries who naively aligned themselves with communist ideals. Initially used for left-wing sympathizers during the Cold War, the phrase has evolved to encompass anyone who blindly advocates for a cause, potentially harming their own interests. The concept reflects a broader human tendency toward groupthink and gullibility across various political landscapes, highlighting the enduring nature of such behavior throughout history.

The Age of Dictatorship refers to the mid-twentieth century, marked by despotic leaders like Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin. The term originates from Old English, linked to Roman history, where "dictator" denoted a temporary, absolute ruler. Today, the term persists, with numerous countries still under dictatorial regimes.

At the end of the first quarter of the twenty-first century, about 400 million people are native English speakers. With those for whom English is a second language, the number reaches far above: betw…

A lexicographer's look at the history and definitions of 'gunboat diplomacy'.