A Word or Two

Civil War Mystery

Civil War Mystery

The life and times of notorious Joe Scoville
doug
doug•
A.1. Sauce Was Not Invented for King George IV: The Real History of H.W. Brand

A.1. Sauce Was Not Invented for King George IV: The Real History of H.W. Brand

The story that a royal chef invented A.1. Sauce for George IV is everywhere online — and it's wrong. The real inventor, Henderson William Brand, created it decades after the king's death, for the International Exhibition of 1862.
talia
talia•
The Year America Discovered 'Soccer'

The Year America Discovered 'Soccer'

The game was pitched as a civilized alternative to brutal college football. But the name was a puzzler.
doug
doug•
Hot Dog Days of Summer

Hot Dog Days of Summer

A brief introduction to the summertime snack
talia
talia•
SPELL LIKE A BEE

SPELL LIKE A BEE

A "spelling bee" ought to be in a class with a talking horse or a flying pig.
doug
doug•
Laundry List Apotheosis

Laundry List Apotheosis

Why is a large, bewildering catalogue of names called a "laundry list," and why are such lists at the roots of writing?
doug
doug•
Shall We Have a Picnic, Cookout, or Barbecue?

Shall We Have a Picnic, Cookout, or Barbecue?

The Origins of Summer Outdoor Dining Vocabulary
talia
talia•
Book Nerd Rock and Roll

Book Nerd Rock and Roll

Get your speakers ready, because this will be much easier and more enjoyable if you listen to the music in the links.
talia
talia•
Magic Words that Will Eat Your Soul

Magic Words that Will Eat Your Soul

How to make anything sound scary for fun and profit
talia
talia•