Read “Lederer on Language” every other Saturday in the San Diego Union Tribune and on this site
The power of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Almost eight decades after the end of the Revolutionary War (1776-1783), there erupted another war (1861-1865). Mostly known today as the Civil War, the conflict
Silver spoonerisms are tough and rumble tips of the slung
Dear Richard Lederer: Have you ever done a column on spoonerisms? My husband and I find them amusing and entertaining, yet we are a little
Horsing Around with the English Language
This past Saturday, May 4, marked the 150th (sesquicentennial) anniversary of the running of the Kentucky Derby. The premier event took place at Churchill Downs,
One word sparks forth many meanings
DEAR RICHARD: The word buck has nine different definitions as presented in dictionary.com. This set me to wondering “Is there a definition of words with
It’s time to brush up your Shakespeare
Little information about William Shakespeare’s personal life is available, but from municipal records we can deduce that he was born in the English village of
The Enduring Legacy of Robert Frost
A Sesquicentennial Celebration of poet Robert Frost’s birth is coming to San Diego on Wednesday, March 20, through Sunday, March 24 at our San
Pun-up girls and pun gents are pun for all and all for pun!
In America, we celebrate just about everything, so it may come as no surprise to you that, in two days, March 4 (March Forth!),
What you may not know about the Father of Our Country
Presidents’ Day (please note my placement of the apostrophe) began life as a celebration of George Washington’s Birthday, February 22, 1732, But Washington was
Sharing my favorite stories about our American presidents
The word history descends from the Latin historia, meaning “narrative, take, story,” and the saga of our American presidents is festooned with fascinating stories.