Symmachy is a rare word for an alliance formed to fight a common enemy, especially in a political or military sense. Its parts go back to Greek elements meaning “together” and “fight,” the same combative family behind logomachy, a verbal argument...
During a full solar eclipse you can see the sun’s glowing outer atmosphere, called the corona. In Latin, the term corona means “crown” or “garland.” It’s the source of coronation, as well as the coronary arteries that wreathe the human heart, and...
Riddle time! I exist only when there’s light, but direct light kills me. What am I? This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “A Short Riddle” Here’s a riddle. I exist only when there is light, but direct light kills me. What am I? Shadow. I...
Here are some easy similes: easy as winking or easy as breathing. If you prefer a tough one, try as difficult to grasp as a shadow. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Easy Similes” A few more similes from this old book for you...
Take umbrage means to take offense, irritation, or annoyance at something. Umbrage traces back to Latin umbra, “shadow,” and earlier English used it for literal shade, the kind found under orchard trees. It’s a cousin of umbrella. The figurative...
we-be n.— «Washington civil servants are bracing for that personnel hurricane that sweeps through the federal bureaucracy every eight years or so, when a new administration places thousands of political appointees in all the top jobs—and some not...