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

12 Ways the Universe Loves Scrabble™

Discover the best Scrabble hints, tips and secrets by clicking on any of the book covers below: At least 30,000 Scrabble games are started each hour. That’s a third of London’s Wembley Stadium, or two of… 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

The Collins English Dictionary, 12th edition

It’s word nerd Christmas, folks! Which is to say, the new Collins English Dictionary is almost here! Nearly three quarters of a million words (50,000 newly added) in one rather classy-looking volume – or as a Kindle ebook or iOS app, I am reliably informed while still being not… Read More