Rubberstamp

When used as a noun, a rubberstamp is a device for stamping ink on paper, something children and bureaucrats love. A rubberstamp does not have to made of rubber, a simple potato will do, but rubber lasts longer. I admit that I usually do not like rubberstamps , although I once got ... weiterlesen→

With a pinch of salt (& dragons)

Sometimes the ties between the English language and Latin are interesting. Anglophones often pronounce Latin in an unexpected way, at least for the speakers of south-European languages like Spanish and Italian, who think they are closer to Latin anyway and therefore pronounce it right as a ... weiterlesen→

Seamless

I hesitate when this word is said in meetings, and it is used much too often, I am afraid. Its meaning is clear, it means that something is achieved without hickups, interruptions, with no awkward transitions. They mean they want no problems, plain and simple. The German language uses the ... weiterlesen→

serendipity

The English Wikipedia writes: Serendipity means a "fortuitous happenstance" or "pleasant surprise". It was first coined by Horace Walpole in 1754. In a letter he wrote to a friend Walpole explained an unexpected discovery he had made by reference to a Persian fairy tale, The ... weiterlesen→

Shibboleth

A shibboleth is a word that some people pronounce in a characteristic way, so they can be recognised by listening carefully. The word goes back to the Bible, Judges 12: 6, (King James Bible "Authorized Version", Pure Cambridge Edition) that reads: Then said they unto him, Say ... weiterlesen→

Shortchange

The verb to shortchange means, according to my Merriam-Webster Dictionary, either to give less that the correct amount of change or to deprive or give less than something due: cheat. The first recorded use was in 1903. Now, how do we express this in German or Spanish? After all ... weiterlesen→

Smug

Smug is an adjective, according to my Merriam-Webster´s, apt to denote a person h aving or showing the annoying quality of people who feel very pleased or satisfied with their abilities, achievements, etc. I reckon the key word in this definition is annoying. It is easy to ... weiterlesen→

To Sneer

Lakritze has suggested the word to sneer for this blog. I agree, it is worth looking into, so I will try. To sneer is defined in English as a look of haughty disdain, scorn and/or disgust expressed by smiling in a conptemtuous way. It is used both as a verb and as a substantive ... weiterlesen→

Speed and velocity

Reading Ian Stewart's book ¨17 Equations that changed the World¨ I came across the following statement on page 38: ¨To understand Galileo's pattern we need two everyday concepts (! bold and underlined are mine) from mechanics: velocity and acceleration. Velocity is how ... weiterlesen→

spin

What a wonderful English word! So short. So many meanings! And many of them so difficult to translate into other languages! Let's see some of them: The primary meaning as a verb: to rotate around an axis. Like the earth. ES: girar sobre su eje . DE: sich um die eigene Achse drehen ... weiterlesen→

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