Pylimitics

An “imp” is a small devil or demon, and in modern usage usually means a small child engaged in some sort of mischief. “Imp” is from Old English, and first appeared in a book from about 900, Pastoral Care: “Sio halige gesomnung Godes folces, ðæt eardað on æppeltunum, ðonne hie wel begað hira plantan &… Continue reading

Ancient myths and legends from many cultures include creatures like the Greek minotaur, which was a man’s body with a bull’s head. There were various Egyptian gods that were similar amalgams; Anubis had the head of a jackal and Bast had a cat’s head. Satyrs are part human and part goat, and so on.  All… Continue reading

If you hear the word “hackney” today it’s nearly always in the context of some idea that’s tired or played out. A “hackneyed expression” is one that’s simply overused; a cliché. You can have a “hackneyed excuse” (your dog ate your homework AGAIN?), hackneyed speeches (“We offer our thoughts and prayers…”), and even people can… Continue reading

In many books — the old kind, actually printed in real ink on real paper — there’s a page near the end that tells you some things about the book itself. Sometimes it lists the typefaces used, occasionally the paper, and maybe even some of the people involved in creating the book, such as the… Continue reading

A “pet peeve” is an annoyance you notice all over the place, but doesn’t usually rise above “irritating”. And besides, there’s generally nothing you can really do about it. Many people have pet peeves about words, and how other people misuse them! Take, for example, “systematic” and “systemic.” You’ll often hear them used interchangeably —… Continue reading