Category: Language

by Sarah Evans, Student Consultant, University Writing Center Our writing consultants have sent in some of their favorite memes that keep them laughing about writing, grammar, and the English language! If you’re in a bit of a sludge after spring break or stuck by writer’s block, take a quick break and enjoy the general silliness …

by Sarah Evans, Student Consultant, University Writing Center With thousands of words available in the English language, there’s no reason not to spice up your papers with some snazzy words. What are your favorite words to use? 1. Allege: claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof The conspirators …

by Alexandra Makris, Student Consultant, University Writing Center Sometimes it seems that the world could be split into those who read and those who do not. Of course, it could be further split into more complicated groupings, such as the “I enjoy reading, but I have a busy life” and the “I don’t like to …

by Jennifer Price Mahoney, Interim Director, University Writing Center In 1972, comedian George Carlin released a now-famous routine called “The Seven Words You Can Never Say on TV.” When the routine was broadcast, uncensored, by a radio station in California, an indecency lawsuit was launched that cast a spotlight on public language; testimony included examples …

by Elizabeth Watness, Student Consultant, University Writing Center Do you ever wonder where words come from? (Besides the dictionary, of course.) Many words commonly found in conversations today have old and interesting origins. Some of them have modern meanings that are quite different from their original definitions. Words change meaning over the centuries due to …