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Spooner Mixed Up More Than His Words
On "spoonerisms," a 19th century viral phenomenon, and the curious life of Reverend William Archibald Spooner.
Jan 11
•
Jack Shepherd
15
1
5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid
New starter word: "Sloom." They can't stop you!
May 11, 2025
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Jack Shepherd
32
18
4
A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals
Plus, some truly delightful collective terms for people, from a “rascal of boys” to a “superfluity of nuns.”
Nov 24, 2024
•
Jack Shepherd
37
6
3
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Some of the Most Fun Cryptic Clues Ever Written
Dec 3, 2023
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Jack Shepherd
20
4
2
"Lorem Ipsum" Has a Meaning
Jan 22, 2023
•
Jack Shepherd
28
1
7 Secret Portmanteaus That Have Been Hiding in Plain Sight
Aug 20, 2023
•
Jack Shepherd
55
9
7
5 Preposterous Words That Wordle Will Actually Accept as Valid
May 11, 2025
•
Jack Shepherd
32
18
4
A Watch of Nightingales: The Origin Story of Collective Terms for Animals
Nov 24, 2024
•
Jack Shepherd
37
6
3
Taking Stock of The Oxford Comma Wars
Jan 21, 2024
•
Jack Shepherd
38
13
5
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The Surprising Origins of Some Very Famous Pen Names
Or, why Lewis Carroll was almost called Edgar Cuthwellis.
Nov 3, 2024
•
Jack Shepherd
27
2
2
This Is What the Meaning of “Is Is” Is
The strange and fascinating conundrum of Is-Is-ification.
Sep 29, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
10
5
1
Three Common Names That Were Just Made Up By Authors
Plus, the heartbreaking origin of “Wendy.”
Sep 15, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
25
1
1
A Few Thoughts on the Salad Salad Situation
Or, how to win someone over with your cheeky opinions about reduplication.
Sep 8, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
17
2
OK, ok, O.K., okay, Ok! Which is it?
And what does it even mean?! A brief celebration of the most common word no one knows how to spell.
Jun 9, 2024
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Jack Shepherd
21
11
My Favorite Cryptic Puzzle in a Long Time
Every now and then, something comes along that breaks the mold.
Apr 7, 2024
•
Jack Shepherd
11
3
Wordle Starter Words for Dangerous Troublemakers
Let's see if we can make Wordlebot cry.
Mar 31, 2024
•
Jack Shepherd
22
9
1
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On Words and Up Words
Word nerdery, fun language history, and word puzzles.
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