Category Archives: Language

On Accident

Posted on January 13, 2014 by John Swinburn

I listened to an NPR radio talk show the other day, A Way with Words, and learned something interesting about the way language is evolving almost in real-time.  A high school English teacher called to inquire about some language usage … Continue reading →

Posted in Language | 7 Comments

There, but for the grace of God, go I

Posted on January 4, 2014 by John Swinburn

“There, but for the grace of God, go I.” I’ve often wondered about the origin of that phrase. I finally looked it up. If the online presence of “Britannia: America’s Gateway to the British Isles Since 1996” is to be believed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Philosophy, Religion | 2 Comments

Putting My Shoulder to the Wheel

Posted on January 3, 2014 by John Swinburn

Have you ever allowed your curiosity to lead you far, far afield of where it started? I do that quite a lot.  Recently, I heard someone say “I need to put my shoulder to the wheel and get this done.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Literature | 6 Comments

State of Being in Strange Streams of Consciousness

Posted on November 5, 2013 by John Swinburn

The good news: I sold the hammered dulcimer yesterday.  I got less than I paid for it in 1994, but we have more space in the house than before. I got a call yesterday morning from a woman who wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams, Food, Language | 3 Comments

Cognitive Development Conspiracy Theory

Posted on April 13, 2013 by John Swinburn

I have vague memories, from my college years, of reading about and discussing the role of language in cognitive development, and vice versa.  Somewhere, deep in the recesses of my mind, I harbor memories of Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Lies/disinformation, Philosophy | Leave a comment

In the ‘Hood

Posted on April 8, 2013 by John Swinburn

Sometimes, you just have odd questions. Sometimes, they get answered. Sometimes, they don’t. Adulthood Falsehood Parenthood Babyhood Livelihood Childhood Knighthood Bachelorhood Likelihood Brotherhood Personhood Priesthood Sisterhood Statehood Sainthood Motherhood Boyhood Girlhood Manhood Womanhood Nationhood Fatherhood Widowhood

Posted in Language | 1 Comment

I Forgot I Didn’t Have Amnesia…But…the Dream

Posted on March 3, 2013 by John Swinburn

UPDATE: After my wife woke up, I told her about what I had written. Her memory is better than mine.  My comments at the end reflect the original version; the revised and corrected information in the body of the post … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Insomnia, Language | Leave a comment