Uncovering the True Origins of Popular Expressions
January 19, 2019
DEAR RICHARD LEDERER: In the King James Bible, man is said to be made in the “Spit and image of God.” In the Catholic version
Read “Lederer on Language” every other Saturday in the San Diego Union Tribune and on this site
DEAR RICHARD LEDERER: In the King James Bible, man is said to be made in the “Spit and image of God.” In the Catholic version
In the Golden Globe Awards this past Sunday evening, Willem Dafoe was nominated for best actor for his role in the film “At Eternity’s Gate.”
Happy New Year! It’s nice to have you near. The New Year is often represented as a baby, so this is a good time to
DEAR RICHARD LEDERER: A question has come up concerning the origins of expressions that are considered racist. Have you run into any controversy about “red
In 1823 The Reverend Clement Clark Moore created “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” The poem, better known as “The Night Before Christmas,” from its
Animals are such an integral part of our lives that almost everyone loves animal jokes. They make us bark, bellow, bray, cackle, howl, screech,
DEAR RICHARD LEDERER: Do you remember these high-flown words to “Three Blind Mice”?: Three rodents with defective vision, Three rodents with defective vision. Observe
DEAR RICHARD LEDERER: I am interested in what you have to say about the (over) use of the word like. I sure hope this
Do you remember back in junior high when you were taught that a noun was a person, place or thing? But you probably didn’t