On Words and Up Words
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37 Ways To Tell Someone They’re Full Of It
And a few ways to puff yourself up while you’re at it.
Mar 1
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Jack Shepherd
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February 2026
These Common Animals Have Some Very Cool Alter Egos
A brief celebration of the humble arse-foot and some of her assorted pals.
Feb 1
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January 2026
When I Found Out This Positive Adjective Was Originally a Comparative, I Was SHOOK
And you won’t BELIEVE what the superlative is!
Jan 25
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Jack Shepherd
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The Definitive Ranking of Forgotten Microsoft Office Assistants (Excluding Clippy)
Also, Clippy is not his name.
Jan 18
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Jack Shepherd
45
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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
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Jack Shepherd
17
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May 2025
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
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November 2024
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
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Jack Shepherd
37
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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
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Jack Shepherd
27
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September 2024
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
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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
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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
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June 2024
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
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