When Does Life Begin? A Quick Etymological Analysis

The question of when life begins is certainly a fraught question. Politicians have offered their opinions on the issue for decades.

16

54

Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe. Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use and could date back thousands of years.

21

49

On-Line Etymology: What, Exactly, is an Ass-Hat?

One of my many responsibilities in my so-called day job is to facilitate large groups of people toward achieving consensus views on knotty strategic issues.

61

92

This year's winning word first became popular in competitive online gaming forums as part of what is known as l33t ("leet," or "elite") speak—an esoteric computer hacker language in which numbers and symbols are put together to look like letters.

7

8

Fascinating history of the origin of common words, and the people they're named after, from boycott to lynch and dunce. Pop linguistics at its best!

2

1

Mr. Cassidy, 63, began compiling a lexicon of hundreds of Irish-inspired slang words and recently published them in a book called "How the Irish Invented Slang," which last month won the 2007 American Book Award for nonfiction, and which he is in New York this week promoting.

1

0

Where did the words "loo" and "flip-flop" originate? How did the name Gordon Bennett come to be used as an expression of exasperation. And who came up with the term "wazzock"?

2

0

Pat and Sheena Wheaton said they decided to name their new baby "4real" shortly after having an ultrasound and being struck by the reality of his impending arrival.

0

1

As a teacher and student, I like to start my explorations into a topic by defining my terms and looking into the origins of key words.

7

0

An Eggcorn: The term was invented by the linguist Geoffrey Pullum in September 2003 in an online forum called The Language Log.

2

1

Yeah, and it's about time I got things cleared up. Despite the fact that the origin of OK was conclusively established 30 years ago, few etymological dictionaries, even recent ones, give it accurately.

1

0

Zune's focus is liveliness and youth. The buzz of the sound "z" makes it one of the most energetic in the language.

1

0

If you finished Monday's crossword puzzle in the New York Times, your answer for 43 Down, clued as "Scoundrel," was SCUMBAG. Most puzzlers, penciling in these letters, felt nothing more than mild satisfaction. But a small number knew enough to be outraged.

2

1

What's My Name Again?

Identity is a matter close to the heart. Many women proudly take their husband's name, some hyphenate, and a few have made a more avan-garde choice--marrying the best elements of each other's last names to create super-surnames.

9

3