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Opinion
Spectrum
My recent crossword sparked beef. Was my food clue a trifle fishy?
With words always gaining new meanings, setting crosswords is no piece of cake.
- by David Astle
Opinion
Spectrum
‘Omnishambles’ caught our attention but its origin might surprise you
Justice Lee’s Lehrmann judgment – and, perhaps, his TV diet – issued a new word into the public’s consciousness.
- by David Astle
Opinion
Spectrum
Taylor Swift’s poetic licence: why all the fuss around her new album title?
Grammar pedants have been swift to judge, but pop often plays loose with punctuation.
- by David Astle
Opinion
Spectrum
In praise of the eggcorn, the English language’s most logical mistake
Suffering from rumourism? You’ll need a courtesan shot for that.
- by David Astle
Opinion
Spectrum
When it comes to catchphrases, this film goes straight to the poolroom
No other movie matches this local classic’s linguistic legacy.
- by David Astle
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Opinion
For subscribers
A second, minute or hour? What counts as a jiffy
Our language loves colourful terms for time and quantity, but their imprecision presents challenges.
- by David Astle
What’s a dysphemism, and what’s Trump got to do with it?
Our language can be shaded with good or bad intentions, depending on the speaker.
- by David Astle