Month: January 2011

The differences between who vs whom, lay vs lie and other confusing word pairs can be difficult to discern. When combined, apostrophes, homonyms, subtle spelling differences and alternate definitions create a recipe for trouble. The following examples should clear some of the confusion surrounding these similar word pairs and homonyms. Who vs. Whom Knowing when…

Proverbs and sayings are nuggets of truth wrapped up in pithy word packages. As brief as two words, often centuries old, these maxims express wisdom in simple ways that transcend time, language, and culture. As Lord John Russell put it in Notes to Roger’s “Italy”, “A proverb is one man’s wit and all men’s wisdom.”…

English is influenced by every major language on Earth, including some that aren’t even used anymore, so spelling is bound to cause frustration. Our headstrong language does have rules, but not all words abide by them. The old “I before E, except after C”, for instance, was discarded when the exceptions were found to outnumber…

All forms of “word play” showcase language in its versatility and potential for humorousness. The palindrome is a way of playing with words that has a rich history of use throughout the different languages of the world. In verbal and written language, a palindrome is a word or phrase that can be read the same…