Tag Archives: language

The Rise of Dad Jokes and the Enduring Appeal of Anti-Humor

Posted on December 18, 2024 by nathanalbright

The phenomenon of “dad jokes” and intentionally bad humor represents a fascinating intersection of social dynamics, linguistic play, and the evolution of comedy. Let me break this down into several key aspects to build a complete understanding. The term “dad … Continue reading →

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The Only Thing About Me Is The Way That I Talk

Posted on November 3, 2024 by nathanalbright

Yesterday, as I write this, I attended church services in Tampa for the first time in more than thirteen years. The last time I lived in Tampa was in early May of 2011, before I moved to Thailand, and after … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Linguistics For Dummies

Posted on September 30, 2024 by nathanalbright

Linguistics For Dummies, by Strang Burton, Rose-Marie Dèchaine, and Eric Vatikiotis-Bateson Although one might not think that linguistics is the most obviously practical of subjects for most people, a matter discussed in this book came up today in a discussion … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Posted on September 21, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: Cliches: What They Mean And Where They Come From, by Nigel Fountain This book is a lot better in theory than it wound up being in practice. There is certainly a wealth of worthwhile … Continue reading →

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Poopism: What’s In A Name

Posted on July 1, 2024 by nathanalbright

One of the more significant issues when dealing with subjects is the naming of them. While there appears, at least according to linguists, no universal sound laws across language that influence what words are designated by what sounds, thus making … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Farsi Dictionary & Phrasebook

Posted on May 3, 2024 by nathanalbright

Farsi Dictionary & Phrasebook, by Nicholas Awde & Camilla Shahribaf This book is a short book that lives up to its authors goals, and is part of a larger set of materials designed to help English speakers to read, speak, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: X-Treme Latin

Posted on April 12, 2024 by nathanalbright

X-Treme Latin: All The Latin You Need To Know For Surviving The 21st Century, by Henry Beard This book is not meant to be taken seriously. I am not sure it is necessary for me to say this, but given … Continue reading →

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Book Review: You Are What You Speak

Posted on March 24, 2024 by nathanalbright

You Are What You Speak: Grammar Grouches, Language Laws, And The Politics Of Identity, by Robert Lane Greene This is a book whose subject is easy to get wrong. Indeed, as I began this book, I was deeply concerned that … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Found In Translation

Posted on March 17, 2024 by nathanalbright

Found In Translation: How Language Shapes Our Lives And Transforms The World, by Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche Language and translation are often tricky matters. It is hard to translate well, and yet those who translate are often not particularly … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Story Of Be

Posted on March 15, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Story Of Be: A Verb’s Eye Of The English Language, by David Crystal If you love grammar and have a fondness for the history of the English language as well as regional dialects, this book has a lot to … Continue reading →

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