words

A short lexicon for Twitter users. Part 1

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A man sits at his desk with a devil on one shoulder and a cherub on the other, considering what to tweet. Credit: Wellcome Library, London (CC BY 4.0).

Some words and phrases that could come in handy when using Twitter, especially political/opinionated Twitter. Continue reading →

Difficulties with words. Part 2

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'Dictionaries are like watches: the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.' Samuel Johnson.
‘Dictionaries are like watches: the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.’ Samuel Johnson.

Here’s some more vexatious, misunderstood and underused words and phrases. Continue reading →

Dread words from the advertising lexicon

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spa-pampering
Someone being pampered. It could only be worse if it were by candlelight in an indoor spa. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

My dislike of the word ‘pamper’ suddenly caught fire recently. Walking through an English seaside town, I saw sign after sign advertising ‘pamper packages’ of some sort. There was competition to see who could offer the most ludicrously overblown one; fourteen hours of pampering and spa treatments by candlelight as you’re fed Turkish Delight by captive apes wearing golden chains, each trained to whisper because you’re worth it and smile sympathetically, their grave simian eyes showing that they understand and value you—they don’t judge. Continue reading →