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Q: What is the difference between a “hunger pang” and a “hunger pain”? I see both terms, but I can’t find them in my dictionary. A: “Pain” is an older, broader term than “pang,” but people use “hunger pains” and “hunger pangs” pretty much the same way—for the feeling ofContinue Reading

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The full moon on July 16 is known as the Full Thunder Moon, or the Elk Moon, the Buck Moon or the Buffalo Moon. Historically, month names are names of moons in lunisolar calendars. Such names have gained currency in American folklore. They appear in print more widely outside ofContinue Reading

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Although Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star has faded, the erstwhile weight lifter-actor-governor hasn’t quite left the building. Recently, a phonics teacher e-mailed her exasperation with broadcasters who mispronounce the first syllable in “Schwarzenegger,” saying “swartz” instead of “shwartz.” “There IS a difference!” she said. “It’s gotten to the point that it’s likeContinue Reading

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The full moon on June 17, 2019 will be a Full Strawberry Moon, also known as a Mead Moon or a Rose Moon. Historically, month names are names of moons in lunisolar calendars. Such names have gained currency in American folklore. They appear in print more widely outside of theContinue Reading

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The full moon on May 18, 2019 is the Full Flower Moon. It is also called a Milk Moon or a Green Grass Moon. Historically, month names are names of moons in lunisolar calendars. Such names have gained currency in American folklore. They appear in print more widely outside ofContinue Reading

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This April full moon on the 19th is named a Pink Moon, also known as a Seed Moon. Historically, month names are names of moons in lunisolar calendars. Such names have gained currency in American folklore. They appear in print more widely outside of the almanac tradition from the 1990sContinue Reading

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Q: The Playbill for Lincoln Center’s tribute to Oscar Peterson says Kenny Baron, one of the pianists performing, “honed his chops” playing with Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, and other jazz musicians. How did “chops” come to mean skill? A test for your etymological chops. A: The story beginsContinue Reading

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Valentine’s Day is is celebrated annually on February 14. Also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, Valentine’s Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.Continue Reading

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This February’s full moon is named the Snow Moon. This moon is also known as a Raccoon Moon. It shines brightly on February 19, 2019. Historically, month names are names of moons in lunisolar calendars. Such names have gained currency in American folklore. They appear in print more widely outsideContinue Reading