Language Lovers

17 inspirational quotes to help you reach your goals this year

As part of HarperCollins’ 31 Days of Inspiration (#31daysuk), we’ve collected 17 inspirational quotes from some hugely successful people who know what they’re talking about. Each of the quotes features in one of the 7 Simple Steps books, which offer fun new ways to improve your business skills, whether you’re… Read More

My Story, Your Passion – Benny Lewis’s inspirational story of how he became a globe-trotting polyglot (part 1)

Are you thinking of learning a language this year? If so, there’s no one better to advise you than polyglot language learning blogger, Benny Lewis. The following is taken from the introduction to Fluent in 3 Months, by Benny Lewis, as part of HarperCollins’ 31 Days of Inspiration (#31daysuk). Fluent… Read More

What does Lucy Mangan think of the ‘tarpaulin revolution’, ‘wig warmers’ and ‘bulletproof coffee’?

2014 has been the year of – as RobertG submits – the “tarpaulin revolution“. This refers of course to the likes of Occupy Wall Street and other similar, splinter (shred?) groups that have sprung up over the months on both sides of the Atlantic to protest against various forms… Read More

‘Bio-drone’…’lumbersexual’…’panivorous’…and let’s not forget ‘poo bus’ – Lucy Mangan can’t as she looks at your new word submissions

Ah, “poo bus”. Thank you, tikitaka, for reminding us as we claw desperately through the news for tiny crumbs of festive cheer of one of the happier stories of the year; namely, the bus that is – probably even as we speak – ferrying (well, no, okay – you… Read More

‘Black Friday’, ‘Movember’, and ‘Philae’: trending words in November

Unfortunately the most googled word for the month of November has been “Kardashian” (not for the first or last time); but the less said about that the better. November is the beginning of the festive season, so it’s no surprise trending terms included Guy Fawkes Night/Bonfire Night and Black Friday,… Read More

14 Mad Facts About Medieval England

The Middle Ages, lasting from the 5th century to 1485, are best known for their violent revolts and revolutions, gruesome punishments, feasting and fetes, gallant knights and fairytale princesses. But what was life like on the home front in Medieval England? Read on for 14 facts that might… Read More

Lucy Mangan is back on your word submissions this week, taking on ‘meetnapping’ and ‘brunneous’ among others

Well, hello again. First off – my heartfelt thanks to tikitaka for his or her submission of “cosplayer” and accompanying explanation of it as “someone who wears costumes and acts out roles based on them.” It is a term I have been coming across a lot lately, in my… Read More

The year that was…Lucy Mangan looks at the Collins Word of the Year shortlist

Cometh the publication of the 12th edition of the Collins English Dictionary (and I hope you’re all having fun with it, by the way. My favourite discovery so far is “centonate” – having many pieces or patches. I intend to use it instead of “portfolio” – a word… Read More

Collins English Dictionary, 12th edition – FAQs

Published on Thursday 23rd October, the Collins English Dictionary, 12th edition is the only dictionary you need – the largest single-volume English dictionary in print with over 50,000 newly added words and a total of 722,000 words, meanings and phrases. With all these additions, and a new design and… Read More