United States vs. Britain: Who spells better?
Margueritte Ross/Staff
Here’s a judgmental list of seven words with different American and British spellings, based on which versions make the most sense.
Read More…
The case against the Oxford comma
Lucy Yang/Staff
While the Oxford comma is technically grammatically correct, it is most often unnecessary and pointless. Thus, writers and editors should eliminate the comma unless it’s absolutely essential for comprehension.
Read More…
In other words: A brief commentary on the irony of language
Alexander Hong/Senior Staff
It seems that words present a peculiar and unexpected kind of irony. We rely on them to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, but countless times over, they confuse, frustrate and fail us.
Read More…
‘Face the music’: A look into the idiom
Olivia Staser/Staff
The idiom “face the music” has been a staple in the English language for decades. But how did this phrase come about? And how has its meaning changed over the years?
Read More…
Just our type
Typography plays an important role in journalism. While newspaper typefaces may not seem as exciting as the content itself, they are a mode of creative communication. The very curvature, shape and aesthetic of letters are often and understandably overlooked; the extent of the writing’s impact is usually contemplated through word choice and diction. From a visual perspective, however, the font is foundational; a paper’s main objective is to deliver information efficiently, and an effective message is elevated by clear design.
Read More…
Take an epic trip through ‘00s slang with these 6 terms
With the help of the Oxford English Dictionary and the debatably reliable Urban Dictionary, here are some relics of the early aughts to steep you in nostalgia and help you remember a time before you had to worry about essay deadlines and internship applications.
Read More…
Merci beaucoup, Madame Lacascade
Between the grammatical corrections and point deductions, Madame Lacascade always managed to squeeze in an “excellent sentence” or a coveted “très bien.” Through her own indisputable passion, she instilled in me not only a love of French but one of language itself.
Read More…
Lessons in language and culture from my grandmother
I have no recollection of when I started speaking Russian; it just happened. But I moved to California when I was 3 years old and lost the Russian language in the pursuit of learning English. So while I can’t remember learning the first time, I do remember the second time around.
Read More…
A quickie introduction to dirty talk in literature and film
There are even more ways to talk about sex than ways to have sex. Here’s a quick and dirty linguistic breakdown of a few creative sexual euphemisms from literature and film.
Read More…
Gamer friends tilting you with their slang? 8 ways to get on their level
Gaming is a commodity that can be quite difficult to escape. Aside from people with their eyes glued to their screens, gaming has also snuck its way into modern-day lingo. Here’s a list of eight common gaming slang terms to help you understand, or even impress, your gamer friends.
Read More…
