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May

A Tale Told by Idioms

by Meredith Mullins on May 6, 2019

Person in search of idioms, telling a story of proverbs and sayings. (Image © iStock/Borchee.)

An etymological quest
© iStock/Borchee

The Phases of Phrases: Proverbs and Sayings

Once upon a time there was a wandering etymologist—a true lover of language. She had been living high on the hog for many years, enjoying the materialistic pleasures of the world.

More often than not, she was three sheets to the wind. That was her choice at the time—so no crocodile tears need be shed for her. Someday, the world hoped, she would understand the importance of minding her Ps and Qs. Read more...

Meredith Mullins Comments

Proverbs & Sayings

Feb

A Taste of Italian Wordplay

by Joyce McGreevy on February 12, 2019

A woman serving gelato reminds the writer that Italian wordplay includes many Italian food idioms—that aren’t about food. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

What’s as cool as gelato minus the calorie count? Italian wordplay!
© Joyce McGreevy

Spice Up Your Speech with Italian Idioms

One of the pleasures of travel in Italy is immersing yourself in the language. As you treat your palate to its cuisines, treat your tongue to Italian wordplay.

Oh, I see: Sampling Italian idioms is a rich, non-fattening way to savor Italian culture.

An array of Italian side dishes remind the writer that many Italian idioms refer to food. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Many Italian idioms were inspired by food—but are rarely about food.
© Joyce McGreevy

Complimenti Allo Chef!

In English we favor plain statements when seeking the simple truth: “Tell it like it is.” “Give it to me straight.” Read more...

Joyce McGreevy 4 Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Italy/Proverbs & Sayings

Nov

Emoji Mojo

by Meredith Mullins on November 20, 2018

Set of emojis from Apple that show cultural and language, especially the universal language of emojis. (Image courtesy of Apple.)

Some of the 2018 new emojis
Courtesy of Apple

Are Emojis the World’s First Universal Language?

Imagine archaeologists finding a set of emojis 1000 years from now in a buried time capsule. Or, picture visitors from faraway galaxies stumbling on Earth’s emoji language.

What would they think of us as they looked over this strange range of pictorial symbols? Read more...