There must be dozens of words for places where you can spend a penny, or 30 or 40p nowadays. I can think of old words such as privy (private), jakes (Jacques?) and of course loo (l'eau?). And when I think of my 93-year-old mother's long sessions, I can understand why across the Pond you call it a re...

Many thanks. That was interesting.
Eileen

A brooch recently discovered in Scotland dates from the Iron Age. It set me wondering how old the strange-looking word "brooch" is.
Eileen Opiolka

Mayday reminded me of the Berlitz "We are sinking" ad. If you haven't yet seen it, have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSdxqIBfEAw
Happy May Day!
Eileen

Squat lobsters were new to me this week and set me wondering about all the many meanings of the word squat. Could this be a Good Word?
Greetings from sunny Scotland,
Eileen

Many thanks for all the interesting comments. I grew up and now live again in Scotland, but lived in Germany for many decades. A wonderful part of the UK here, and if anyone is on a Scottish tour I'd love to meet them.
Eileen

I was interested to see an "l" in the pronunciation of qualm. I would pronounce it kwa:m or kwɔ:m, like pa:m, ka:m and sa:mon . Is the "l" standard US pronunciation? The pronunciation interests me, because I teach English and always point out GB/US differences where I can. Many t...

I remember this word from the Mother Goose collection of nursery rhymes. I wonder if it originated in the rhyme?

Daffy-down-dilly has come to town
In a yellow petticoat and a green gown.

Eileen

Many thanks, Slava.
Eileen

A simple word. I wonder if it has any links to the Dutch golf meaning a wave?

The adjectives suggested were interesting, but new to me. The only one I would use is jingoistic.
What do others use?
Eileen Opiolka

Cleave has two quite different meanings, to cling and to cut. "cleft" and "cloven" are also interesting participles.
I would be interested in finding out if there is any etymological connection between the two meanings.


Eileen Opiolka

I know the noun "goonery" meaning tomfoolery, but perhaps it's British usage.
Eileen

I always thought Flossie was short for Florence, and so I supposed there must have been a floozy Florence at some time.
Does anyone know?