By James Harbeck There has been much discussion of the Nobel Prize in Literature being awarded to Bob Dylan. I have no interest in weighing in on whether his work is Nobel quality—I won’t pretend to understand the judges’ criteria—but I do have some thoughts on the question of whether a songwriter is even eligible … Continue reading Is it art? Well, how does it feel?
Tag: James Harbeck
Wordplay: The old “ye olde”
Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. If you want to make something look, y’know, old and classy and stuff, what’s better than adding an e to the end of it? Think how much extra you pay to stay in … Continue reading Wordplay: The old “ye olde”
Wordplay: Assimilation by the mutants
Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. Every so often, someone asks, “If it’s one foot and two feet, and one tooth and two teeth, why isn’t it one book and two beek? If we have louse and lice, and … Continue reading Wordplay: Assimilation by the mutants
Wordplay: Contronyms: To sanction or to sanction?
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 words in English we may not know whether to sanction. They are so impregnated with meaning that their meaning may seem impregnable. If you try to hold them fast, you … Continue reading Wordplay: Contronyms: To sanction or to sanction?
Wordplay: Because language
Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. We have a beautiful opportunity to watch language change in action: English is gaining a new preposition. Really? Yes. Because change. Because language! Do you find that jarring? Folks, this is how your … Continue reading Wordplay: Because language
Wordplay: When intransitives go transitive
Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. We’ve all learned that there are two kinds of verbs: transitive and intransitive. Transitives take a direct object—“I fry an egg”—and intransitives don’t—“My stomach aches.” But that’s not the whole story. In fact, … Continue reading Wordplay: When intransitives go transitive
Wordplay: Tittle-ating jottings from the Bible
Wordplay is a regular column by editor and language writer James Harbeck in which he tastes and plays with English words and usages. The King James Version of the Bible gives us two English words that usually travel together: jot and tittle. We find them in Matthew 5:18: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven … Continue reading Wordplay: Tittle-ating jottings from the Bible
By the Book: In-house editor and freelance writer James Harbeck’s book highlights
Interview conducted by Jennifer D. Foster Have you ever wondered what fellow editors like to read? We have, too. In our interview series “By the Book,” we get the inside scoop on editors’ all-time favourite books, their top style guide, and what their alternate-universe career would be. Tell us about your current job, James, plus … Continue reading By the Book: In-house editor and freelance writer James Harbeck’s book highlights
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