Tag Archives: Old English

Team vs. teem

Posted on February 28, 2013 by

  team (noun): a number of persons associated together in work or activity teem (verb): to become filled to overflowing —Merriam-Webster You are, no doubt, familiar with the noun team, but the same-sounding verb is less popular. Today’s post will … Continue reading →

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Erbs and herbs

Posted on January 4, 2013 by

British people call those green things you keep in your spice rack herbs, pronouncing the H. Here in America, We call ‘em erbs, without the H sound. Is one way more correct than the other? Well, no. Different pronunciations happen … Continue reading →

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Easter etymology

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

Today’s lesson: learning the history of the word Easter and the names of its traditions   Regardless of your faith (or lack thereof), it’s likely you know the biblical story behind the Easter celebration. Jesus. Judas. Kisses. Pontius. Blood. Capital … Continue reading →

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Set your phasers to learning!

Posted on December 8, 2011 by

phase (noun): a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes; a distinguishable part in a course, development, or cycle phase (verb): to adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition; to conduct or carry out … Continue reading →

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Is it “pour over” or “pore over”?

Posted on November 29, 2011 by

Nancy pours over her Klingon textbook the night before the big test. Nancy pores over her Klingon textbook the night before the big test. This is an idiom that confuses many. So which is correct? Pour over or pore over? … Continue reading →

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