Wordwatch: Attendee
The word “attendee” has replace “attendant” in common language, but it seems likely it was originally used as a joke.
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The word “attendee” has replace “attendant” in common language, but it seems likely it was originally used as a joke.
Texting and “telegraphese” has meant that we take shortcuts in our everyday speech where phrases such as “caved in” become “caved”.
There has been a universal narrowing of vocabulary meaning that the word “mum” has come to replace “mother” or “mummy”.
This week’s wordwatch looks at the use of “commonplace” and how it has evolved from denoting something exceptional to mean something trivial.
A deep dive into the linguistic history of well-known, but often little understood English words and phrases.
A deep dive into the linguistic history of well-known, but often little understood English words and phrases.
A deep dive into the linguistic history of well-known, but often little understood English words and phrases.
The other day I was writing a short piece – can’t remember what or why –when I found myself using the word “notwithstanding”. As I
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