Wordplay: Drawing a blank

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. I’m drawing a blank. Here it is: Did you like it? I hope you didn’t blink and miss it. Do you object that there’s nothing to be seen? You should … Continue reading Wordplay: Drawing a blank →

Wordplay: The ides of March would be where?

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. Beware the ides of March! Beware the ides of every other month, too. And the nones. And the calends. Actually, beware Roman calendars pretty much altogether. But beware the ides of March … Continue reading Wordplay: The ides of March would be where? →

Wordplay: Deck, don, and troll your way through Christmas

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. There are some things that seem to happen only at Christmas. For instance, there’s someone who wanders around all over the place and does something on your roof. Well, OK, that’s more … Continue reading Wordplay: Deck, don, and troll your way through Christmas →

Wordplay: None of these people are right

Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. You have probably encountered, every now and then, people who will aver that none can take only a singular conjugation, never a plural: never none are, always none is. The argument they present … Continue reading Wordplay: None of these people are right →