Another word (or phrase) of the day, thanks to Merriam-Webster. weasel word  noun : a word used in order to mislead a person or to avoid a straight answer Some people believe that weasels can suck the insides out of an egg without damaging the shell. An egg thus weasel-treated would look fine on the [...]

My Merriam-Webster word of the day: auctorial \awk-TOR-ee-ul\ adjective : of or relating to an author It’s derived from the same root as authorial, but I think I almost prefer it. It sounds a bit more authoritative.

My Merriam-Webster word of the day: octothorpe \AHK-tuh-thorp\ noun : the symbol # I like this one. The octo part apparently comes from its eight points, but no-one’s sure where the thorpe (sometimes thorp) comes from. Personally I’ve always called it the ‘hash’ symbol although I know it’s usually the ‘pound’ in North America, and [...]

My new favourite word, thanks to Merriam-Webster. paronomasia \pair-uh-noh-MAY-zhee-uh\ noun : a play on words : pun Puns (essentially, humorous uses of words to suggest more than one interpretation) have their share of critics as well as fans. English philosopher-poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, for example, called puns “the lowest form of wit.” “Paronomasia,” which derives [...]