Language Lovers

Pluviophile, rore and celefie: Lucy Mangan takes on your latest word submissions to CollinsDictionary.com

Let’s start with hootenanny’s ‘chuff chart‘. No, come back – it’s quite safe for work (though perhaps I’d better also check “hootananny” – yes, we’re okay), at least these days. It originated in the forces and referred to a chart that counted down the days until the end… Read More

Word-lover interview: Tim Gorichanaz of ScratchTap

Word-lovers abound in the Collins Dictionary community, and so we’ve kicked off an interview series with some of the ones we’re lucky enough to count as friends of the blog. Following our interview with Lynne Murphy of Separated By A Common Language, we’re delighted to speak to… Read More

6 ways to get an English accent that’s posher than the Queen’s

According to tradition, upon presentation to The Queen the correct formal address is ‘Your Majesty’ and subsequently ‘Ma’am’. We are all aware that there is certain etiquette to abide by when speaking to a member of the Royal Family, but how about speaking like a Royal?… Read More

World Cup Words You Need to be Brilliantly Brazilian

Although England are no longer involved in‘a Copa do Mundo 2014’ in Brazil, there are still plenty of reasons to get excited about this festival of football. With that in mind we have compiled a need-to-know list of Brazilian terms to allow you to follow the beautiful game… Read More

Yesser, branter, and chloephobia: Lucy Mangan takes on your new word submissions to CollinsDictionary.com

We’re a hotbed of topicality here today! Hold onto your hats-slash-tam-o’shanters for up first is “yesser” and “yessing“, submitted by jenniferbaird50 and referring to the practitioners and practice of persuading people to vote ‘Yes’ (short for ‘Yes, I do want an independent Scotland. Have ye no’ seen… Read More

Aussie Slang vs Kiwi Slang – New Zild or Strine?

Are you wearing trunks and thongs or togs and jandals to the beach? Have you put your beers in the esky or the chilly bin, and are your sandwiches wrapped in aluminium or tin foil? Some of us have trouble discerning… Read More

Word-lover interview: Lynne Murphy of Separated By A Common Language

Word-lovers abound in the Collins Dictionary community, and so here begins an interview series with some of the ones we’re lucky enough to count as friends of the blog. Lynne Murphy blogs at Separated By A Common Language and tweets as @lynneguist. She’s interested in the differences… Read More

Balderdash! 11 English Words Whose Meanings Have Changed

To grin once meant to scowl, a girl was once a youth of either sex, and “hello” was originally used as an exclamation of surprise! Most of the words in everyday English have been in (and occasionally out of) circulation for centuries. But how and why have their meanings changed?… Read More

The 25 most-used words in English: Can you use them to learn a new language?

In just ten years Benny Lewis – seemingly ordinary Irishman turned polyglot and best-selling author – has become fluent in eight languages and reasonably chatty in several more. Benny does not spend his days knee deep in textbooks, or his evenings in language classes – instead… Read More