Celebrating Dr. Johnson’s Path-breaking Dictionary
April 11, 2015
He was, according to his biographer James Boswell, a huge man. When he was barely out of infancy, he contracted scrofula, a disease that severely
Read “Lederer on Language” every other Saturday in the San Diego Union Tribune and on this site
He was, according to his biographer James Boswell, a huge man. When he was barely out of infancy, he contracted scrofula, a disease that severely
Dear Mr. Lederer: I have wondered what your take is on the somewhat recent proliferation of people starting sentences with, “So, …” It annoys
Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion, was the earliest feast day decreed by the ancient Christian
Which speaker is more likely to be a magician?: a. She embellished her talk with a number of allusions. b. She embellished her talk with
These days, the face and body of our great nation is scarred with an outbreak of measles. Parents are urged to have their children vaccinated
This coming Thursday, March 12, we mark the death 70 years ago of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who grew up in Amsterdam during
A few weeks ago, I presented a lineup of Tom Swifties, in which the adverb at the end of the sentence takes off punningly from
This month marks the release, finally, of the film version of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” by British author E.L. James. Noting that the title contains
Valentine’s Day probably originated from the ancient Roman Feast of Lupercalia. On the eve of that festival, the names of Roman girls were written on