In the Merriam-Webster dictionary the term politically correct is defined as “conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated.” While erasing problematic language from our rhetoric is great, it seems these days that people tend to get offended over every(…)

Feminism has been named the WOTY (word of the year) for 2017 by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, and you probably won’t have too hard a time guessing why. Feminism has been huge in the last year, especially with the downfall of powerful figures like Harvey Weinstein, the rise of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, and the(…)

The story of Catalonia is a complicated one, but it is one heck of a fascinating linguistic phenomenon. Catalan plays a fundamental role in the region’s debate for independence, serving not only as fuel for the opposition but as the highest expression of identity. Before we dive into cultural debates, I want to make it(…)

Liar, liar, pants on fire, and if that were true most of us would be alight from the ankles up. Everyone hates a liar. The word consistently rates in the bottom 5% of 500 descriptive words but we all are; big or small, intentional or by mishap, liars. We have great words for lying. When(…)

Donald Trump wowed every thinking man and woman in America, most around the world, and perhaps beyond if there is intelligent life out there by winning the US presidential election against all odds back in November. He broke every guideline, rule and taboo of political campaigns. He insulted his opponents, belittled the press, and told(…)

The US election is over, and despite there still being the matter of the official electoral college vote of December 19th to make it a (dystopian) reality, it looks as though the world has got itself a new American president. We say the world, because despite the potential horrors American citizens are now facing in(…)

  Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock somewhere for the past year or so, you will be very familiar with Donald Trump’s Presidential campaign and all the ludicrous comments, antagonistic viewpoints, and of course the promise of a ‘wall’ that has been spouting. A naturally charismatic and easily influential speaker, Trump has garnered more(…)

Politics, sex and religion are probably the three worst topics for a polite dinner party. They’re also the three biggest reasons books are still challenged and eventually banned today. First, what’s the difference between a challenge and a ban? A challenge, usually made by parents or political officials with their underwear in a twist, is(…)