Commonly Mispronounced/Misused English Words Repetition is a powerful device. When we repeat something enough times, it becomes habitual. This goes for our lifestyle choices, such as when and whether we exercise, how we keep abreast of the day’s news, or how and where we seek entertainment and relaxation. While many of these habits are repeated […]
Word Salad – April 2024 Read More »
Mark Twain’s Words to Live By What could be better than a conversation with one of the most brilliant and wise men in modern history, Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835–1910), known by the pen name Mark Twain. He was praised as the “greatest humorist the United States has produced,” and William Faulkner called him “the father
Word Salad – February 2024 Read More »
Historical Firsts As a salute to the first month of 2024, let’s take a look back at a few of Reader’s Digests’s most iconic firsts: First telephone call. “Mr. Watson, come here.” These dry words were immortalized in historical cannon in 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call to his assistant, Watson, who was
Word Salad – January 2024 Read More »
Modern Day Malapropisms During the early years of space exploration, NASA scientist Wernher von Braun gave many speeches on the wonders and promises of rocketry and space flight. After one of his talks, von Braun found himself clinking cocktail glasses with an adoring woman from the audience. “Dr. von Braun,” the woman gushed, “I just
Word Salad – December 2023 Read More »
How Well Do You Know México? Understandably, we transplants may be more familiar with our countries of origin than with our adopted home, México. To broaden our knowledge of this wonderful country, below are some fun and interesting facts about our home SOB: México’s . . . Official Name: Estados Únidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States)
Word Salad – November 2023 Read More »
Thank you, Hollywood Ah, the movies. How we love ‘em. As kids, we showed up faithfully at our local movie theaters on Saturday afternoons, and with the cost of admission, a quarter—or even a dime!—were transported to the wonders of Hollywood’s imagination. When the curtain went up, first came the black-and-white newsreels. Nobody paid any
Word Salad – October 2023 Read More »
Janus Words Most of us have experienced the rewards and challenges of learning a second language. To hasten the learning, we take courses, watch movies in the new language, and engage native speakers when possible. Both consciously and subconsciously these exercises expand our comprehension and confidence with our developing language. But even advanced learners from
Word Salad – August 2023 Read More »
Trivia and Other Useful Information You’ve Pondered Too Long Did you know . . . A SHOT OF WHISKEY – In the Old West, a .45 cartridge for a six-gun cost 12 cents; so did a glass of whiskey. If a cowhand was low on cash, he would often give the bartender a cartridge in exchange
Word Salad – July 2023 Read More »
Say what??? Back in the days when state welfare was relied upon by the needy, and long before the days of digital communication, the rapidly fading system of letter writing kept all involved informed of the status of their accounts. We can only hope that letters from welfare recipients kept the government workers in stitches
Word Salad – June 2023 Read More »
Mexico on the World Stage Mexico holds more world records than any other Latin American country, and it shows no signs of slowing down. When it comes to world records, most of us turn to Guinness World Records, the acknowledged record keeper of the superlatives—biggest, best, worst, smallest, smartest, etc.—of just about any and every
Word Salad – May 2023 Read More »
