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A Thanksgiving Turkey to Forget Nov. 22, 2025
I'll start by making a few things clear: I love my father, I love cooking and I love Thanksgiving. A... Read More
Don't Sabotage Your Message by Mangling Your Meaning Nov. 21, 2025
We all know them — those iconic song lyrics so entrenched in popular culture that virtually ev... Read More
The Dream Monstrosity Nov. 21, 2025
Want to buy a house? It's in a great neighborhood. In walking distance of excellent schools. It's th... Read More
'Yule' Love These New Books About Words Nov. 19, 2025
Stuff your stockings this holiday season with these lively new books about language. Jess Zafarris r... Read More
We're Here, We're Annoyed and We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore Nov. 15, 2025
I'm forming a new political party. No offense intended to the two major ones we already have, but t... Read More
Self-Esteem Isn't Given -- It's Earned Nov. 14, 2025
"What do you see as your greatest asset as a teacher?" A dozen eyes bored into me from different poi... Read More
Step Relatives Are a 'Step' Above Nov. 12, 2025
Q: I'm curious about the origin of "step" in "stepfather," "stepson," et al. — M.J.D., Baton R... Read More
Jury Nullification: An Expression of Discontent with Government Nov. 11, 2025
Jurors play a prominent role in the criminal justice system. Although few cases go to trial — ... Read More
Fear the Stopped Clock of the American Electorate Nov. 08, 2025
I once met a man who claimed to make up his mind who he wanted in presidential elections only after ... Read More
Remember the Past to Promote a Successful Future Nov. 07, 2025
"Well, it's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go, cat, go!" Back when Elv... Read More
My Favorite Dental Appointment Nov. 07, 2025
If you asked people where they were and what they were doing when they had the first experience they... Read More
Do Apostrophes Depart for the Holidays? Nov. 05, 2025
This month, we observe Veterans Day ... or should that be "Veterans' Day" or even "Veteran's Day"? I... Read More
Does ChatGPT Write Me Better Than I Do? Nov. 05, 2025
I wonder what those 15th-century monks who slaved away copying the Holy Scriptures by hand thought w... Read More
Scotus Wants to Hear More on Chicago Troop Deployment Nov. 04, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case for the future of America's democracy. ... Read More
How Do I Love Perimenopause? Let Me Count the Ways Nov. 01, 2025
Menopause is so hot these days. All the cool kids are doing it, a coincidence that marks the last t... Read More
Mild, Multilevel Me Oct. 31, 2025
I have nothing against doctors. Some of them have saved my life. Some of them have damn near killed ... Read More
We're Haunted by Linguistic Fossils Oct. 29, 2025
When I was 8 years old, my parents told me that they'd purchased tickets in the orchestra for a Broa... Read More
The Killings Continue Oct. 28, 2025
President Donald Trump is at it again. The president and his administration are carrying out indiscr... Read More
Three Strange Paths to Not Thinking About You-Know-Who Oct. 25, 2025
Are you, like me, kind of freaking out a little bit? Do masked men patrol your city streets, snatchi... Read More
The None-of-My-Business Column Oct. 24, 2025
Perhaps due to my previous incarnation as a traveling know-it-all, I keep getting requests for a col... Read More
