Collective Nouns for Animal Groups
How Did These Fruits Get Their Names in English?
How Kiwifruits Got Their Name Kiwifruit were first found in the Chang Kiang Valley of China and as they spread to other parts of the world, they were called Chinese gooseberries. They were named ‘kiwifruit’ in the mid twentieth century. The new name refers to the furry covering that resembles the kiwi bird. Kiwifruits in… Read More
Fun with words: punctuation
Fun with words: reinvent
The names for little things you never notice
Fun with words: lyrics
Confusing words: Thank or Thanks God it’s Friday?
“Thank God” is actually a shortened version of “Thanks be to God” which means that you are telling the others (your friends or whoever) that you are thankful to God. “Thank God” is in the same way as “Praise God”. “Thank God” is also correct because you are using “Thank” as a verb I (we)… Read More
Confusing words: mugwump
Origin: The Mugwumps were Republican political activists who bolted from the United States Republican Party by supporting Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland in the United States presidential election of 1884. Theyswitched parties because they rejected the financial corruption associated with Republican candidate James G. Blaine. In a close election, the Mugwumps supposedly made the difference in… Read More
Politically correct English
As we progress in the 21st century, more and more everyday English terms are considered offensive. Although there are many categories in which words have been changed such as racial and ethnic groups, age, ilness and disabilities, and sexual preferences, among others, it is in gender that these changes are more noticeable: Gender is an… Read More
Fun with words: 100 ways to say “good”
ɡo͝od/ adjective adjective: good; comparative adjective: better; superlative adjective: best 1. to be desired or approved of. “we live at peace with each other, which is good” synonyms: healthy, fine, sound, tip-top, hale and hearty, fit, robust, sturdy, strong,vigorous More antonyms: poor, ill pleasing and welcome. “she was pleased to hear good news about him” expressing approval. “the play had good reviews” 2. having the qualities… Read More
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