My recent crossword sparked beef. Was my food clue a trifle fishy?
Opinion
WordPlay

My recent crossword sparked beef. Was my food clue a trifle fishy?

With words always gaining new meanings,setting crosswords is no piece of cake.

  • byDavid Astle

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‘Omnishambles’ caught our attention but its origin might surprise you
Opinion
WordPlay

‘Omnishambles’ caught our attention but its origin might surprise you

Justice Lee’s Lehrmann judgment – and,perhaps,his TV diet – issued a new word into the public’s consciousness.

  • byDavid Astle
Taylor Swift’s poetic licence:why all the fuss around her new album title?
Opinion
WordPlay

Taylor Swift’s poetic licence:why all the fuss around her new album title?

Grammar pedants have been swift to judge,but pop often plays loose with punctuation.

  • byDavid Astle
In praise of the eggcorn,the English language’s most logical mistake
Opinion
WordPlay

In praise of the eggcorn,the English language’s most logical mistake

Suffering from rumourism? You’ll need a courtesan shot for that.

  • byDavid Astle
When it comes to catchphrases,this film goes straight to the poolroom
Opinion
WordPlay

When it comes to catchphrases,this film goes straight to the poolroom

No other movie matches this local classic’s linguistic legacy.

  • byDavid Astle
A second,minute or hour? What counts as a jiffy
Opinion
WordPlay

A second,minute or hour? What counts as a jiffy

Our language loves colourful terms for time and quantity,but their imprecision presents challenges.

  • byDavid Astle
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What’s a dysphemism,and what’s Trump got to do with it?

What’s a dysphemism,and what’s Trump got to do with it?

Our language can be shaded with good or bad intentions,depending on the speaker.

  • byDavid Astle
What happens when you ban language? A new one emerges

What happens when you ban language? A new one emerges

But does algospeak risk underplaying serious issues?

  • byDavid Astle
No more apostrophes and corporate speak:What we want changed about English

No more apostrophes and corporate speak:What we want changed about English

One new decree drew 500 likes:“A zero-shame policy for pronouncing words you’ve only ever seen in print.”

  • byDavid Astle
Why the false water rat needs a new name

Why the false water rat needs a new name

Research shows endangered species are more likely to get help if their names sound positive,but could renaming open a (tou)can of worms?

  • byDavid Astle
Wiggles or wriggles? The debates from readers that have hit my mailbag

Wiggles or wriggles? The debates from readers that have hit my mailbag

These word dilemmas are real hot potatoes.

  • byDavid Astle