I’ve almost lived in Brooklyn for a year now and I’ve found some differences living here than what I’m used to as a lifelong Bay Stater. More observations to to come… All my life I’ve heard the phrase, “For here or to go?” when ordering food somewhere that has the two options. Then New York… Continue reading Where would you like to eat?
Category: Words
Mashups, for words!
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with the concept of a portmanteau—cramming two words into one word, like “breakfast” and “lunch” forming “brunch.” It’s one of those terms I’ve heard from time to time but always forgot the name of. Well, no more! I can’t stop thinking about them now. Since I’ve started noticing portmanteaus, I keep… Continue reading Mashups, for words!
It’s Aromando, say it right
My last name is spelled A-R-O-M-A-N-D-O. It is pronounced like ah-roh-mahn-doh or maybe it’s are-o-mon-doe.* People have an unbelievably hard time knowing how to spell or pronounce “Aromando” even though, for the most part, it’s pretty phonetic. I don’t really begrudge people for this (too much) because despite the fact that I should have sympathy… Continue reading It’s Aromando, say it right
Addressing strangers can be even more awkward than I originally thought
I’m going to try to cover a lot of ground with this post. I’m going to try to drop some truth and acknowledge how I am ignorant to certain ideas. I was recently at an open mic that was running pretty late into the night. Two gentlemen walked into the bar where the open mic… Continue reading Addressing strangers can be even more awkward than I originally thought
Rhymes with Orange
Aside from being an idea for a possible indie band or the name of an improv troupe, the idea of something that “rhymes with orange,” is that it doesn’t exist. Well come on people, poetic license! Artistic license (the broader family that poetic license belongs to) just begs for reality to be distorted. It’s unfathomable… Continue reading Rhymes with Orange
Genericized!
I think we’ve all heard of this concept, a brand name that becomes the common term for something—like Band-Aid™, Hula hoop™, Tupperware™, Aspirin, etc. All of those are former or current brand names of things. They’re called genericized trademarks and I think the idea of them is common knowledge. I find that a lot of people… Continue reading Genericized!
What is it that you mean? (Part 2)
The other day I wrote about a couple of words that are hard to translate into other languages (and hinted at a second part). Well today, I talk about a word from a list of, 5 More Difficult Words to Translate, from ALTA Language Services. To English speakers, this word will seem common and the word… Continue reading What is it that you mean? (Part 2)