Culture | Verbal Energy
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Awakening to all kinds of possibilitiesWhy English has so many forms for the verbs referring to coming out of sleep
Putting the 鈥榬oar鈥� into extraordinaryMaking the case for a go-to term for journalists who want to signal newsworthiness.
鈥楥ollusion鈥� and its playful rootsA look at the surprising etymology of this dark word in the news.
When the sense of reality starts to flickerA vintage mystery-thriller flick provides a very current term for a form of psychological warfare that seems much in use lately.
Setting down the rules on 鈥榙eposing鈥�A look at a word with two very different senses alive and well in the news columns.
Emoluments: grinding out or softening up?A high-flown term for 鈥榮alary鈥� seems to be rooted in a metaphor of ground grain, but the word鈥檚 sound symbolism suggests something else.聽
Just how many 鈥榖ehalves鈥� make a whole?An obsolete term still has its place in some legal contexts.
Unshackling the roots of 鈥榠mpediment鈥�A hardworking ancient three-letter root turns out to be at the foot of many words across Indo-European languages.
Going off, leaving the furniture in chargeThe Monitor鈥檚 language columnist is reminded that bureaucracy is literally 鈥榬ule by desks.鈥�
Public memorials and private memorandumsA leaked memo and the controversy about Confederate memorials are both potentially monumental stories.
Monitor's Best: Top 5
The Supreme Court has given Trump early wins. Now, it has to explain why.
Why Obamacare and health costs take center stage amid shutdown
From LA to Portland: Tracking Trump鈥檚 expansive use of the National Guard
Gen Z women say 鈥榥o thanks鈥� to motherhood. Reasons range from practical to spiritual.
鈥業f I leave ... what is left?鈥� Why officers battle Hegseth for women鈥檚 right to fight.
