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Words Behind the News
Exploring the origins and meanings of new or evolving words in the general conversation.
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Words Behind the News # 1: ISIS, Caliphate and Takfir
Since it invaded headlines earlier this year, the group of militant jihadists who call themselves the Islamic State has been referred to…
Liesl Schillinger
Sep 29, 2014
Words Behind the News # 2: SPANKING GETS SPANKED
There seems to be some confusion at the present American cultural moment as to what constitutes a spanking — a confusion that carries…
Liesl Schillinger
Sep 29, 2014
Words Behind the News #3 PANT OR PANTS (or All Talk, No Trouser)
What fun it must be to be a fashion writer. Earlier this year, in a piece headlined “The Best Bottoms to Rock,” Huffington Post helpfully…
Liesl Schillinger
Sep 29, 2014
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