Comments on: Word Play

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 08:26:44 +0000

I always enjoy your posts. This one was fascinating – wonder about the derivation of that word ?

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 19:57:34 +0000

Thanks Philip! What a fun interesting read. Great conversation starters!

By: Jon Lewis

Jon Lewis — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:14:08 +0000

The term boycott refers to Charles Boycott, a land agent in Ireland.

By: Sue Lough

Sue Lough — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:44:44 +0000

Interestingly enough my extensive watching of Britbox shows (such as Inspector Morse and Inspector Lewis) revealed to me that Magdalene College in Oxford UK is pronounced “Maudlin”…and now I know why!!!!

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 21:48:06 +0000

I really loved this learned something new.

By: Wendy Hamblin

Wendy Hamblin — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:43:12 +0000

This is not a word we often encounter, but pursuing it can be amusing “clerihew”.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:27:17 +0000

To show you how my mind works: when thinking of an interesting eponym to share, the first thing I could think of was “Baltusrol”, a prestigious golf course in New Jersey that’s hosted several US Opens (Jack Nicklaus won two opens there). It was named for a man, Baltus Roll who owned and farmed the land in the early 1800’s and was murdered in his home there in 1831. Decades later, a man bought the land and established a golf club.

If I had more time, perhaps I could come up with something a little less obscure!

Peace to you, Philip.

Ralph

By: Alden Johanson

Alden Johanson — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:11:43 +0000

Enjoyed this greatly. Thanks! Have you ever tried to find combinations of homophones that work together, like: write right (ie., write correctly), our hour, entrees on trays, epic epoch, etc.? And have you ever discovered a word that describes this phenomenon? (Maybe we should call them duologisms?). Do you think we enjoy words because we were created by the on who calls himself The Word?

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:58:51 +0000

To show how my mind works: I was thinking of a response for an interesting eponym to share and the first thing that came to mind was Baltusrol. It’s a famous golf course in New Jersey. Hosted many U.S. Opens, (Jack Nicklaus won two of his opens there). It was named for a farmer, Baltus Roll, who used to own the property before he was murdered in 1831. Decades later, a man bought the land and founded the golf club.

I could think of less obscure ones if I had time!

Peace to you, Philip

Ralph

By: Mary Alice Donaldson

Mary Alice Donaldson — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:31:48 +0000

Thank you for surprising me with the wonder of familiar words taking on richer meaning!
Grateful beyond words for your books and articles since discovering your work in the early 80’s.