iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Yeah, I bet! I'm wondering if he needs "danger pay"? Or a very large tip?

020

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I'm starting to think a) your home is a death trap b) your sparky is extremely brave (or foolhardy)

1110

Reposted by Grace Tierney

fravery.bsky.social @fravery.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

"Sally Storch (b.1952)

0524

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Happy #NationalTechiesDay to all my friends (and former colleagues) in the world of tech. Especially those who know about the silent L in users 😉 Have you tried restarting it? <ducks for cover>.

static.klipy.com

Thor Frustrated: It's Not Working!

Alt: Thor Frustrated: It's Not Working! slamming buttons like every impatient user in history

010

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A little blurry today but it's windy out there (my excuse and I'm sticking to it). An aster in a pot at my back door. My mother would call these Michaelmas daisies which makes sense as that church feast (the Feast of the Archangels) falls on the 29th of September. #bloomscrolling

purple aster bloom, closeup, with foliage behind

050

Reposted by Grace Tierney

Hildur Knútsdóttir @hildur.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Icelandic word for psychologist is "sálfræðingur". It literally means "soul expert". For short we call them "sáli" or "soulie".

629253

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A serious event, blood was shed, but honestly I know I would have been one of the women mentioned who basically ran off with free cheese.

030

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

"Words the Weather Gave Us" is coming next month (eek!). A feast of unusual words, weather lore, and historic weather straight from my desk to yours. If you want to be the first to read it, then check out the pre-order for the Kindle edition at www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJHVHC5... #etymology #booksky 📚💙🌦️☔

Be ther First to Read my new release - Words the Weather Gave Us by Grace Tierney - kindle pre-order for 9th of November (a gift to Future You) or wait for the paperback and hardback editions

The rather messy desk of a writer, complete with chart of weather superstitions and inspirational painting of a stormy seascape and coastal sunrise.

070

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

“Seriously? How much effort have you put into planning this weekend, Nina?” “Listen, I plan events for a living, Alex. It’s about time I used my superpowers for good.” “Ah yes, my very own Super Librarian,” he said and pulled me in for a kiss. #1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"

static.klipy.com

Romantic Kiss in Library

Alt: Romantic Kiss in Library

000

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Likewise! I do a crossword on his anniversary every year.

001

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Wonderful idea for crossword lovers (cruciverbalists)!

120

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Brilliant idea! Two questions 1) Do you do cryptic ones? 2) Can you dispatch to the Republic of Ireland? Thanks

110

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

6) ... and celebrate their national day on the 28th of September. The full version of this story is in the music chapter of "Words Christmas Gave Us" - amzn.to/3XPdS4h

Words Christmas Gave Us by Grace Tierney, red and white cover with snowflake motif, in hardback and paperback (also out in Kindle) surrounded by red ribbon

030

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

5) Unarmed, he tried to open the church door but it was locked. The death blow, with a lance, came from his own brother. He was declared a saint and martyr shortly after his death and is now the patron saint of the Czechs who call him Svatý Václav ...

130

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

4) He was known as a pious ruler who provided for the poor. His nobles didn’t approve and began to plot an attack. On the 28th of September 935, Wenceslas was attacked by his brother and accomplices on his way to a Mass to celebrate the birth of his nephew.

110

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

3) ...on the feast of Stephen (the 26th of December) when he walked barefoot through the snow to give alms to a poor peasant. The real story is far more tragic. Although he was kind to the poor Wenceslas wasn’t a king, he was Duke of Bohemia (in the modern-day Czech Republic).

100

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

2) The Czech name came from the Slavic words vetye (greater) and slavu (fame or glory) which trace back to an Indo-European root word kleu (to hear). The popular British carol (written in 1853 and set to a 13th century melody) tells us that good King Wenceslas last looked out ...

110

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#onthisday 935, death of Good King Wenceslas. #etymology / #history 🧵 Wenceslas is a boys’ name which came to English from Medieval Latin Venceslaus and Old Czech Veceslavü which translates as “having greater glory”.

static.klipy.com

good king wenceslas

Alt: good king wenceslas handwriting animation

283

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I might give a parent a pass if working 80+ hours and doing a doctorate part-time, but they could still do it some nights. The reality is that we make time for what is important to us. How we spend time is a choice. Also - down with dusting!

140

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

My cyclamen, in a pot by the back door, is in bloom now. This is its third home, starting with my late Aunt Eithne who gave some to my late mother, and now it thrives with me. I love inter-generational gardening and think of them both when it blossoms. #bloomscrolling

Pale pink cyclamen bloom closeup in a terracota pot

1101

Reposted by Grace Tierney

Suzanne Fagence Cooper @suzannefagence.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A lovely page of leafy doodles made by William Morris in a dull committee meeting, at the William Morris Society. A little bit of joy for @silverpebble2.bsky.social this evening x

210214

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The preorder for "Words the Weather Gave Us" is now open so if you want a copy to drop onto your Kindle on release day, you can order at www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJHVHC5.... Then meet Hector the Cloud, find diamond rain, and unfurl your bumbershoot. #booksky #weather #etymology

052

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Happy Book Birthday to "Words Christmas Gave Us"! My first hardback and in-person book launch. I adored researching the worldwide Christmas traditions and the elaborate stories behind carols. A perfect festive gift for the word geek in your life. Buy links at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/

Here's to Another Year of being a Great Book - Words Christmas Gave Us by Grace Tierney - red and white cover with snowflake motif

010

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

My attempt to be mysterious had failed somewhat by the time we’d reached the fifth floor and I was regretting not noticing that the place didn’t have an elevator, but we arrived, finally, at the door to the top floor apartment. #1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"

000

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A romantic chapter for "The Librarian's Secret Diary" this week as Nina brings her Inter Library Loan Guy away for a mystery weekend. Even librarians need to leave the library sometimes! Subscribe and read at channillo.com/series/the-l... #librarylife #irishfiction #serial

channillo.com

The Librarian's Secret Diary

<p>Nina is the new librarian on the block. She’s learning the shelves with her buzzword-spouting boss and the senior librarian who hates reading and can’t wait to retire. She records the crazy reader ...

000

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Great, thanks! I don't seem to be able to message you here in Chat, so I dropped you a message via your website - just need your email address so I can send the ebook file. thanks, Grace

010

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#ReviewersWanted "Words the Weather Gave Us" 330 words from apricity to zephyr, when weather changed history, folklore, forecasting, trivia. #etymology #weather #history #bookreviewers Advance review copies (digital) available now worldwide - chat/comment if you're interested. Thanks! 📚💙

static.klipy.com

Peanuts: Linus Immersed in Books

Alt: Linus surrounded by books and reading

130

Reposted by Grace Tierney

Orkney Library & Archive @orkneylibrary.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today is #HobbitDay because Bilbo and Frodo Baggins were both born on September 22nd. Normally we'd shire a hobbit pun or two but it might just feel like a tolkien gesture and we don't want to embarrass our elves. Anyway it's a good day to come and boromir #Tolkien books. 📚

652298632

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

This week on the Wordfoolery blog I explore the word history of being drenched and I reveal the cover for "Words the Weather Gave Us" - coming in November and available for ebook pre-order now. Hope you like the bright sunny cover? wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2026/09/21/w... #etymology #Weather ☀️📚🌧️🌪️❄️

wordfoolery.wordpress.com

Weather Book Cover and the History of Being Drenched

Hello, I’m pleased to announce that “Words the Weather Gave Us”, the fourth book in my Words series, is now available for pre-order (the ebook edition) and hence the cover is out …

053

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

This week's dusty gem from the Wordfoolery archives is Whiffler which I wrote about in 2017 - a very useful occupation and it reminded me of "The Princess Bride". Enjoy! wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2017/04/10/i... #etymology

wordfoolery.wordpress.com

I need a Whiffler in my Life

Hello, This week’s word is whiffler, a suggestion from Cliodna Johnston, and it’s a good one. Whiffler has two meanings, one historic and one that’s in current use. I’ll sta…

032

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Happy #TalkLikeAPirateDay. I wish I was the Dread Pirate Roberts but I'm probably more like....what's a pirate's favourite subject in school? Aaaaaaaarrrrt 🏴‍☠️ If you need help with words - check out the pirate chapter in "Words the Sea Gave Us" 😉🦜 amzn.to/2D3bSi7

Channeling my inner pirate at the National Maritime Museum, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Words the Sea Gave Us by Grace Tierney (with pirate duck, seaglass and a Galway Hooker - that's a boat btw - out now in paperback and ebook

023

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I seed-save evening primrose every year and this is why. The first ones bloomed in June, it's now September and they're still going. Plus, the small birds perch on the dry stalks like acrobats and eat the seeds all winter. Perfect annual #bloomscrolling

closeup of evening primrose bloom - 4 heart shaped yellow petals

040

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Hadn't heard of this - added to my "want to visit" list - thanks!

010

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Happy #ReadAnEbookDay! All of my books are available on #Kindle (and some on #Kobo), but of course other books are available too. So handy for when you're traveling and nobody can shame you about the size of your To Be Read Pile 📚📚📚 Buy links at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/

The Wordfoolery books on a series of phones, ready to read - Words Christmas Gave Us, Words the Vikings Gave Us, Words the Sea Gave Us, and How To Get Your Name in the Dictionary - all by Grace Tierney and out on Kindle (and paperback too)

020

Reposted by Grace Tierney

Dr Danny Bate @dannybate.com · 17/09/2026

Greetings from inside Perugia's vast 3rd-century BC Etruscan well – called a pozzo in Italian, from puteus in Latin. Puteus passed at an early point into the emerging Germanic languges, becoming pytt in Old English, which gives us the word 'pit' today.

The interior of a large and deep stone well, with a short glass bridge across it

79912

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Mary dropped her bag and jacket on a chair and bent over to the computer screen. “Hello, you two, lovely to see you on a big screen. The others are on their way. What did you make of the book? Did you finish it? I thought it was a bit of a slog myself.” #1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"

static.klipy.com

Friends Join & Laugh on Zoom Call

Alt: friends goofing around on a zoom call

000

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The new episode of "The Librarian's Secret Diary" is now live on Channillo. Nina and the Bailey Bookworms work out a way to include Sally and Basil at their meetings, and it all ends in the pub, as usual. Subscribe and read at channillo.com/series/the-l... #serialfiction #librarylife

channillo.com

The Librarian's Secret Diary

000

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'll be on LMFM today at 12:30, chatting with Orlaith Carmody about the history of words. This month we're nattering about abecederian, avocado, escalator, uthceare, and our mystery word is collywoggle. Don't worry, I'll explain how to pronounce them all! Listen live or online at lmfm.ie. #etymology

010

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Wordfoolery Whispers is out on Fri 18th September. Words the Weather Gave Us, snag a review copy, plus Blog Highlights, Good Books and histories for eedle doddle, ultracrepidarian, joblijocks, and avocado. Subscribe at wordfoolerywhispers.subscribepage.io & remember to confirm email. #etymology

Wordfoolery Whispers is out This Friday, plus Wordfoolery jester doll in red green and yellow motley complete with bells

000

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#OnThisDay 2021 I launched "Words the Vikings Gave Us" onto the seas. It traces the huge influence of Old Norse (and modern Scandi words) on the English language. Perfect for #Viking fans everywhere and a total joy to write - from akimbo to yule. How to Buy wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/

Words the Vikings Gave Us by Grace Tierney - green and white cover with long ship motif, with scandi-flags and viking beads. Out now in paperback and ebook editions.

010

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Today word from the Wordfoolery archives is mugwump - one I wrote about in 2017, but still totally relevant today and in use since the 1880s. Enjoy! wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2020/12/14/a... #etymology #politicalwords #AmericanEnglish

001

Grace Tierney @wordfoolery.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This week the Japanese anemones in my graveled front garden are bobbing their heads, such a pure white. Original plan was for all Japanese plants there but the acer couldn't handle the wind & the bamboo went nuts. Glad I kept these in place, from my Dad's garden. #bloomscrolling

Japanese anemone - closeup of white 6 petals and yellow centre

061