- July 6, 2010How did the word “mercenary” get a metaphorical sense and a literal one? It started in classical Latin, says the…
- March 24, 2010I have always enjoyed languages, especially English, because my father did for me what I hope to do for my…
- February 19, 2010Back in 2005, I wrote the following for the monthly newsletter I’m charged with producing: Touchstone recently dedicated its cover…
- March 17, 2008I admit it. Look it up. "Snafu" has a less-than-clean etymology. The other day, a nice middle-aged man heard me…