# idiom (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 7 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover idiom. Page: Feed: --- ## [Creating blog post graphics](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/creating-blog-post-graphics.html) _2026-08-20 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ Having kept a blog running since 1999 - amazingly - one thing that has always taken me way too much time is creating an image to go alongside a post. Sometimes it is easy because there is a flow chart, table, bullet point list or something similar that simplifies the process. However, most of the time it is a lot more complicated than that. I used to use an old clunky piece of Microsoft kit called… ## [Comparing two decision-making models](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/comparing-two-decision-making-models.html) _2026-08-18 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ There are a number of career decision-making models, and I have been thinking about how Peterson's CASVE cycle model (1996; read more here ) differs from Krumboltz's DECIDES model (1980; read more here ). Both deliver a systematic framework that we can use to found our next steps on, but they have have some different steps, and do different things at different stages. They were created at roughly… ## [Peterson's CASVE cycle](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/petersons-casve-cycle.html) _2026-08-16 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ Have you heard of the CASVE cycle? This is an old piece of career decision-making kit, written up in the 1990s, detailing five steps of: communication, analysis, synthesis, valuing, and execution (Peterson et al., 1996). It walking us through a range of problem solving and decision making ideas, fitting neatly with the Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) theory. This is where career choice is… ## [Finding external formula links in Excel](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/finding-external-formula-links-in-excel.html) _2026-08-13 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ I work with a lot of Excel spreadsheets. I mark using Excel, because Excel adds up so beautifully, using tick boxes to mark things present - or to indicate that those things are not present. The result is a map of what has been done, what has not been done: and what grade that results in. And I have found I get a more objective mark because of those tickboxes: I might think a student has turned in… ## [Krumboltz DECIDES model](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/krumboltz-decides-model.html) _2026-08-11 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ If we are clear about who we are and what actions we are capable of (what we value; self-efficacy), what we are interested in, and what our skills are, we should hopefully have a good idea of the type of work that attracts us. It is at this point that we may need a career decision-making (CDM) model to aid our next steps. Professors Krumboltz and Hamel studied how we naturally select careers, and… ## [Sen's human capability approach](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/sens-human-capability-approach.html) _2026-08-09 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ In the context of human resource development, or HRD, the Human Capability Approach, or HCA, is associated with the philosopher and economist Amartya Sen (1999). HCA argues that organisations should focus on the expansion of real opportunities provided to individuals to achieve lives that they value (Sen, 1999). While this has been posted about before ( here ), with an HCA approach, organisational… ## [invite (noun)](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/08/invite-noun.html) _2026-08-08 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ Neil W. wrote to ask: I am seeing lots of advertisements for a new film called "The Invite". (Sounds quite promising with Seth Rogen playing his usual character). Here is a review from the notoriously picky Peter Bradshaw, who quite liked it. Within this article he uses the phrase "extend the invitation of the title". So my question: is it an Americanism to use "invite" as a noun? I (Scottish)… ## [invite (noun)](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/08/invite-noun.html) _2026-08-08 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ Neil W. wrote to ask: I am seeing lots of advertisements for a new film called "The Invite". (Sounds quite promising with Seth Rogen playing his usual character). Here is a review from the notoriously picky Peter Bradshaw, who quite liked it. Within this article he uses the phrase "extend the invitation of the title". So my question: is it an Americanism to use "invite" as a noun? I (Scottish)… ## [Referencing a Reddit post](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/referencing-reddit-post.html) _2026-08-06 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ So how do we reference a Reddit post in APA style 7th edition? I had a look in the APA manual (American Psychological Association, 2019) and couldn't find an answer. So I turned to an internet search and found a great post by BibGuru, which said that we reference a Reddit post by working our way through the following elements (2025): Reddit Author(s) . We provide the family name and initials if we… ## [Candles versus lightbulbs](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/candles-versus-lightbulbs.html) _2026-08-04 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ In watching the movie about Bob Dylan's move from folk into experimenting with other forms of music, a couple of lines in the script struck me quite forcibly (Mangold & Cocks, 2024). They arise when Bob Dylan is being confronted by Pete Seegar in the Viking Motel room full of musicians and other "movers and shakers" prior to the 1965 Newport Folk Festival towards the end of the movie… ## [Countdown to Getting Paid (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/LeR6d5FCh33a) _2026-08-04 · **Sponsored**_ Create a shareable wallet timer — deposits buy back time and pay debt down ## [Tamkin's 4A HR model](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/08/tamkins-4a-hr-model.html) _2026-08-02 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ Human capability is not only about how an employee is trained, but also about ensuring that the systems within an organisation allow the skills of the employee to be effectively used: and Tamkin’s 4A model illustrates this very well (Tamkin et al., 2004). Understanding capacity is vitally important as productivity is falling in many nations: New Zealand included (Boyle, 2026). The model developed… ## [A Gathering of Winter Haiku -Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-gathering-of-winter-haiku-alan-j.html) _2026-07-31 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ I regularly launch my writing day with at least one haiku. I write them in a dedicated small notebook with a sturdy leather cover. This morning ritual grounds my thoughts and lubricates my writing mind. It has become part of my process. Because it is winter in the southern hemisphere, a gathering of wintery haiku is at the forefront of my thinking. I have taken the time to gather a few of them… ## [Creating a dropdown list in an Excel sheet, Part 2](https://www.samyoung.co.nz/2026/07/creating-dropdown-list-in-excel-sheet.html) _2026-07-30 · Sam Young · Sam Young_ This post will walk us through setting up a multiple item drop down selection list in an Excel spreadsheet using a bit of VB code from a vlogger who shared just such a bit of code (Bansal, 2025). This is Part 2 of this process (see Part 1 here). Oh - and if we are new to the Developer tab in Excel, we can see how to get that working here , before we get onto the next element (Microsoft Support,… ## [football and soccer](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/07/football-and-soccer.html) _2026-07-29 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ I’m very pleased to present a guest blog by one of my students at the University of Sussex. The author, Elize Holyoake, recently completed our English in the United States module and will be entering her third year in the BA English Language and Linguistics in the autumn. I’m grateful to her for researching and writing this post! Every four years since its inauguration in 1930, the FIFA World Cup… ## [football and soccer](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/07/football-and-soccer.html) _2026-07-29 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ I’m very pleased to present a guest blog by one of my students at the University of Sussex. The author, Elize Holyoake, recently completed our English in the United States module and will be entering her third year in the BA English Language and Linguistics in the autumn. I’m grateful to her for researching and writing this post! Every four years since its inauguration in 1930, the FIFA World Cup… ## [Fast Paced City -Prose Poem, Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/07/fast-paced-city-prose-poem-alan-j-wright.html) _2026-07-03 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ Returning to prose poetry this week and nostalgically returning to memories of my time in New York . I am recounting one of the many adjustments that were part of living in another country, another culture. Fast Paced City The first time I visited New York, I realised those stories I had heard about a fast-paced city were accurate. When I stepped out onto the streets it was like viewing a movie… ## [Swedish expression: ‘to suspect owls in the moss’](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/06/28/swedish-expression-to-suspect-owls-in-the-moss-3/) _2026-06-28 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ In English, when we suspect something isn’t quite right we ‘smell a rat’ or say something is ‘fishy’. In Swedish, they suspect ‘owls in the moss’. The expression – ‘att ana ugglor i mossen’ – has a Danish origin. The original saying dates to the 1600’s and was ‘det är ulve i mosen’ which translates … Continue reading Swedish expression: ‘to suspect owls in the moss’ → ## [Umbrellas Are Pluviophiles Poem -Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/06/umbrellas-are-pluviophiles-poem-alan-j.html) _2026-06-26 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ Winter has settled in to place in the southern hemisphere. Damp and cold days predominate.Winter doesn;t have a large circle of friends, but it does draw lots of attention. If pluviophile is a new words to you, then I hope you are curious enough to check it out. It's a word just perfect for winter. As the rain fell down into the street, it baptised me in the process and a winter poem rose from the… ## [shouty!](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/06/shouty.html) _2026-06-23 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ In April, Jody V. sent me a link to this New York Times article with the note " I noticed the word shouty in this piece. I can’t recall having seen the word used in an American publication before." Here it is in the context of the article: But in a social media post after talks with Mr. Rutte, the president reiterated his ire and threw in Greenland for good measure: “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE… ## [shouty!](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/06/shouty.html) _2026-06-23 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ In April, Jody V. sent me a link to this New York Times article with the note " I noticed the word shouty in this piece. I can’t recall having seen the word used in an American publication before." Here it is in the context of the article: But in a social media post after talks with Mr. Rutte, the president reiterated his ire and threw in Greenland for good measure: “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE… ## [One OS for your AI workforce (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/frH5jdqkcoct) _2026-06-23 · **Sponsored**_ Build, direct, and supervise an AI workforce from a single operating workspace. ## [11 hacks for surviving Swedish midsummer](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/06/19/11-hacks-for-surviving-swedish-midsummer-7/) _2026-06-19 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ With Midsummer arriving on Friday, it is time to start planning for your survival. Midsummer’s Eve is the craziest custom in the Swedish calender and the time of the year when Swedes go a little bonkers. As a non-Swede, get ready to brace yourself. Here are a few hacks to make sure you make it … Continue reading 11 hacks for surviving Swedish midsummer → ## [Summer Night Escape, Poem, Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/06/summer-night-escape-poem-alan-j-wright.html) _2026-06-12 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ Across the six years I was living and working in New York I was most fortunate to harvest a rich vein of stories. So many stories... My friend, Linda once shared a story about growing up in the city and enduring the somewhat oppressive summer nights. That story became the focus of a poem I included in the 2016 anthology, 'I Bet There's No Broccoli On The Moon.' Writers and poets are… ## [Swedish National Day – a new king, an old king, a new constitution and 500 years of independence.](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/06/06/swedish-national-day-a-new-king-an-old-king-a-new-constitution-and-500-years-of-independence-4/) _2026-06-06 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ On 6 June 1523, Gustav Vasa was crowned King of Sweden. He was one of the few survivors of the Stockholm Bloodbath, in which his father and 80 other nobles were murdered, Game of Thrones style. He ruled the country until 1560. During his reign, he released Sweden from the Kalmar Union consisting of Sweden, … Continue reading Swedish National Day – a new king, an old king, a new constitution and… ## [Stornello Poem -Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/05/stornello-poem-alan-j-wright.html) _2026-05-29 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ Stornello Poems A stornello is a traditional form of Italian folk poetry as well as improvisational song. The stornello originated in the rural regions of Tuscany before spreading across central and southern Italy to Lazio and beyond. In taverns and public squares, stornellanti (singers) would engage in long, improvised musical battles. One singer would throw out a verse, and the opponent had to… ## [The Crossworder Poem -Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-crossworder-poem-alan-j-wright.html) _2026-05-22 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ This poem emerged from a brief observation while on a supermarket raid last week. A notebook entry percolated into a poem and this is the result. Poets are observers. Much of our inspiration comes from the noting of brief encounters and magic moments. We see something and feel a compelling urge to react with words. So here is my poem about my special sighting of a cruciverbalist... Crossworder A… ## [Moving over to Instagram](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/05/19/moving-over-to-instagram/) _2026-05-19 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ I’ve decided to challenge myself with something different. That means I am focusing most of my efforts on creating video reels and short clips on Instagram. I will write here, but it will be less frequent. If you’d like to still follow me, please check me out on Instagram. ## [how big (of) a problem?](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/05/how-big-of-problem.html) _2026-05-17 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ Tibs wrote to me in October 2020: A few years ago, Americans started adding “ of ” in places it didn’t occur before. It gradually spread into books, and across the atlantic to here as well. I don’t have an exact timing - less than 10 years? I find it hard to remember examples, because it’s become part of the scenery, but it’s always a case where leaving out the “ of ” leaves the meaning identical… ## [how big (of) a problem?](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/05/how-big-of-problem.html) _2026-05-17 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ Tibs wrote to me in October 2020: A few years ago, Americans started adding “ of ” in places it didn’t occur before. It gradually spread into books, and across the atlantic to here as well. I don’t have an exact timing - less than 10 years? I find it hard to remember examples, because it’s become part of the scenery, but it’s always a case where leaving out the “ of ” leaves the meaning identical… ## [The Custard Years Poem -Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-custard-years-poem-alan-j-wright.html) _2026-05-15 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ I frequently talk about the spark of an idea that can grow into a flame. -A flame that lights the way forward. I am buoyed by such moments... A brief conversation with a six year old regarding how much she likes blue jelly had me instantly reflecting upon my own childhood and suddenly my mind was filled with custard, not literally of course, but thoughts of how custard was a dominant dessert… ## [The Occasional Table Poem, Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-occasional-table-poem-alan-j-wright.html) _2026-05-01 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ Recently I was watching an episode of 'Antiques Roadshow' (the UK version) when the words 'occasional table' were mentioned. I immediately thought of tables small in size including coffee, side, and end tables, designed for social gatherings in the home, occasionally employed and variously used to present light refreshment, drinks, snacks, or possibly the playing card games and the like. Much to… ## [8.1% APY Plus Free Stock (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/GmHCSmpUBJ1Q) _2026-05-01 · **Sponsored**_ Claim 8.1% APY and up to $1,030 in SK hynix and Nvidia stock. ## [Observations Over Coffee -Alan j Wright](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/04/observations-over-coffee-alan-j-wright.html) _2026-04-17 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ It is said to be out there as a poet, you need to be out there. So I took this literally and earlier in the week ventured out for a coffee. As I at my outdoor table attentively observing the passing parade, a poem gently formed around me. I made a few notes rehearsed some words and sipped my cappuccino. The poem landed as an everyday observational narrative, consciously devoid of any profound turn… ## [Scary Poems by Alan j Wright on the Scary-ness Poetry Express](https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/04/scary-poems-by-alan-j-wright-on-scary.html) _2026-04-14 · Alan j Wright · Poetry Pizzazz with Alan J Wright_ Check out two of my scary poems that have just boarded the Scary-ness Poetry Express. It's an online resource for children's poetry. \*The Long Tongued Slurpenspray \*The Monsters Are A Mess Follow the link if you feel brave enough to go there... Scary-ness Poetry Express #poet #scary #poetryexpress ## [administration and government](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/04/administration-and-government.html) _2026-04-12 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ It's about time this topic has its own blog post. It's been an aside to other discussions on several occasions . It's not so much a difference between American and British English per se , but a difference in how our political systems work, and hence a difference in which words we need to use about them. PM's Question Time at UK parliament (Wikimedia commons) Because the UK has a parliamentary… ## [administration and government](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/04/administration-and-government.html) _2026-04-12 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ It's about time this topic has its own blog post. It's been an aside to other discussions on several occasions . It's not so much a difference between American and British English per se , but a difference in how our political systems work, and hence a difference in which words we need to use about them. PM's Question Time at UK parliament (Wikimedia commons) Because the UK has a parliamentary… ## [A Swedish mistake that led to a language change – and a huge hit!](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/04/04/a-swedish-mistake-that-led-to-a-language-change-and-a-huge-hit/) _2026-04-04 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ Musical cabaret legend and cruising enthusiast, Jane McDonald, is having somewhat of a revival in the UK, with her new album rocketing up the charts. One song she covers in her repertoire is DNCE’s ‘Cake by the Ocean’. In her naivety, she thought it meant ‘having a cup of tea and a slice of Victoria … Continue reading A Swedish mistake that led to a language change – and a huge hit! → ## [Swedish Long Friday, English Good Friday](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/04/03/swedish-long-friday-english-good-friday-2/) _2026-04-03 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ Today is ‘Long Friday’ in Sweden, ‘Good Friday’ in English-speaking countries. If you hold to the Christian belief, it’s the day Jesus was crucified on Golgata, outside of Jerusalem. Why the differences in names for this day? In English-speaking countries, there are differences of opinions as to why it’s called Good Friday. Some people claim … Continue reading Swedish Long Friday, English Good… ## [alongside](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/03/alongside.html) _2026-03-21 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ A few months ago, an American friend of my spouse asked him to ask me: "Why is everyone suddenly saying alongside ?" I hadn't noticed it at that point, but once he'd mentioned it, I felt surrounded by alongside . As this Google Books ngram shows, the word has taken off in the 21st century: Separating out the British and American books, we can see that this is a British-led trend. Alongside climbed… ## [alongside](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/03/alongside.html) _2026-03-21 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ A few months ago, an American friend of my spouse asked him to ask me: "Why is everyone suddenly saying alongside ?" I hadn't noticed it at that point, but once he'd mentioned it, I felt surrounded by alongside . As this Google Books ngram shows, the word has taken off in the 21st century: Separating out the British and American books, we can see that this is a British-led trend. Alongside climbed… ## [Swedish politics – a masterclass in switching loyalties](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/03/14/swedish-politics-a-masterclass-in-switching-loyalties/) _2026-03-14 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ This is an election year in Sweden and already the parties are manoeuvring. The most recent change came from the Liberal Party yesterday. The Liberals are a very small party, but in Sweden’s system of proportional representation, they sit in the center-right government. Historically, the Liberals have vehemently said that they will never allow the … Continue reading Swedish politics – a… ## [The world’s oldest and longest cross country ski race – Sweden’s ‘Vasalopp’.](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/03/01/the-worlds-oldest-and-longest-cross-country-ski-race-swedens-vasalopp/) _2026-03-01 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ Today, the world’s longest cross country ski race takes place in Sweden. Called Vasaloppet, it entails participants skiing 90 kilometers from start to finish. It’s an extremely popular international race, which can take up to 12 hours to complete, and which is broadcast live on tv. When tickets to participate are released, they sell out … Continue reading The world’s oldest and longest cross… ## [Are these words misspelled/misspelt most?](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/02/are-these-words-misspelledmisspelt-most.html) _2026-02-26 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ The people at WordUnscrambler.pro sent me a list of "the most misspelled (BrE misspelt \*) words" for the UK. I get a lot of these "we did this thing so that your blog will give us free advertising," and I usually ignore them, but I'll give this one some attention—partly because they sent a US list to Language Log (who published it), so I can do some comparison. But I first have to gripe a bit.… ## [nostalgia for present-day British English](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2026/02/nostalgia-for-present-british-english.html) _2026-02-04 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ I get various Google Alerts for things related to my interests, and today I got one for a story in The Sun and the Daily Express about the '20 English words the public wants to revive'. Now, if I want to read these articles, I have to pay or give them my first-born, or something like that, so I'm not rushing to read them. But I've got enough of a gist from the Google Alert (orig. AmE) blurb : The… ## [2026 – an election year in Sweden. My humble request…](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2026/01/09/2016-an-election-year-in-sweden-my-humble-request/) _2026-01-09 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ 2026 in Sweden it is a general election year. The current conservative government hope for another 4 years, and of course the left-oriented parties hope to replace them. I have one simple hope for this election year and the political campaigning that it involves. This is my request to the politicians of all colours. I … Continue reading 2026 – an election year in Sweden. My humble request… → ## [US-to-UK Word of the Year 2025: zee](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2025/12/us-to-uk-word-of-year-2025-zee.html) _2025-12-31 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ And t he 2025 Separated by a Common Language US-to-UK Word of the Year is (sorta kinda): zee (but mostly Gen Z ) I must start by assuring you: British people generally do not call the letter zee . Nevertheless, I have reasons for choosing zee this year: It is winning (particularly among\[st\] the people it describes) as the pronunciation of the generation name: Gen Z . It is a word that comes up… ## [UK-to-US Word of the Year 2025: fiddly](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2025/12/uk-to-us-word-of-year-2025-fiddly.html) _2025-12-30 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ The 2025 Separated by a Common Language UK-to-US Word of the Year is: fiddly Here's an English teacher explaining the word Someone might have recommended this to me this year—if so, please out yourself in the comments, since I cannot find a pixel trail for a recommender. But I did find it in an email conversation I had with Ben Yagoda in deciding the 2022 WotY, where he said: Interesting slate of… ## [Sweden’s Lucia Celebration](https://watchingtheswedes.com/2025/12/13/swedens-lucia-celebration-2/) _2025-12-13 · Neil Shipley's watching the Swedes · Watching the Swedes_ At the darkest time of the year, Santa Lucia (St Lucy) pays us a visit early in the morning on December 13th. Lucia has candles in her hair and is surrounded by her handmaidens and boys, and shines light into the dark depths of our spirits. And slowly, slowly, the day awakens. Santa Lucia is … Continue reading Sweden’s Lucia Celebration → ## [pleaded and pled](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2025/11/pleaded-and-pled.html) _2025-11-23 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ I may have promised another topic for this month's blog...but another request has (orig. AmE) come over the transom , and I'm easily distractable, so... Mike C from Shropshire asks: Even most BBC news reporters seem to be using “pled” as the past tense / past participle. … Any thoughts? Thoughts? Do I have thoughts? I am plagued by them! Pleading and plea-ing Let's start with a basic observation… ## [hadn't have VERBed](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2025/10/hadnt-have-verbed.html) _2025-10-19 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ A great thing about being Facebook friends with linguists is that I get to benefit from their daily observations of English. Here's a recent observation from John Wells: Something I've just heard on the telly about someone who nearly drowned: "If the fisherman hadn't've spotted him, he might not have survived." I keep hearing this grammatical construction in BrE, with extra "have" ('ve) as… ## [caught + ADJ](http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2025/09/caught-adj.html) _2025-09-02 · lynneguist · Separated by a Common Language_ A shorter (maybe), quicker and earlier post this month, since I am going to be travel( l )ing without much internet access in September and am (orig. AmE) freaking out\* about how much work I have to do before the autumn/fall semester begins. In a recent Language Log post, Victor Mair points out a difference in how American and British teens might react to this shirt: Americans would tend to say I… ## [Multi-dimensional weighted random roll (choice, dice, selection)](https://www.sacrideo.us/multi-dimensional-weighted-random-roll-choice-dice-selection/) _2025-08-31 · Aaron W. Hsu · Fastidious Elegance_ Suppose that you want to roll a 6-sided die in APL. That's trivial: ?6 0 ?6 4 ?6 0 ?6 3 Now suppose that you wanted to roll a bunch of times. APL naturally scales, since the "roll" function ? is a primitive scalar function: ?10&