If you are a logophile and have some time on your hands, check out the links below:
Etymologic! the toughest word game on the web
- very addictive game, not only because of the learning opportunity, but also because of the words accompanying one's score
- do not start this, unless very disciplined, if you are in danger of procrastinating on something that should really be occupying your time--it's a great enabler
If you've played the game and are hooked, and/or were humiliated by a low score and want to learn more, here's some help:
- Wordorigins.org--neat and informative site with a big list of word and phrase origins, a blog, forum, and lots of further resources.
- Online Etymology Dictionary--handy, searchable online dictionary of etymology where one may quickly look up the history of a word
Verbivores may like, be frustrated and/or entertained by, the eggcorn. Don't know what an eggcorn is? Go to The Eggcorn Database to find out and see lots of examples and discussion of the eggcorn. I personally find the eggcorn, while sometimes amusing, very frustrating--it's just another sign of failing education systems and the dumbing down of culture.
Anyway, play, laugh, cry, beat your head against the wall, and above all, enjoy!
