bootleg #etymology #wordorigins #language

Your Daily Stella: It's her Gotcha Day. My girl came into my life two years ago. (In the present-day picture she is intently staring at a turkey vulture which is perched out of frame.)

enthusiasm / enthuse #etymology #wordorigins #language

blitz / blitzkrieg #etymology #wordorigins #language #wwii

First day back in the classroom after six years, and I find myself locked out of the AV system and tapdancing for 50 minutes. Fortunately, I had my notes. (Evidently, I entered my old password from six years ago and it locked me out.)

Incel: once you coin a word, you can’t control what happens to it #etymology #wordorigins #language

Your Daily Stella: presented without comment

"slop": American Dialect Society 2025 Word of the Year #wordorigins #language #WOTY #wordoftheyear

ergonomics #etymology #wordorigins #language

Thoughtful piece by George Packer, but on musing it, I think he's missed the point. When it comes to Venezuela, I first thought of Trump as Zeus, hurling thunderbolts from afar but having no presence on the ground. But classical mythology isn't Trump's thing.

Why is ICE armed at all? The laws in their portfolio don't justify the use of lethal force against violators. And if the person is a dangerous criminal, shouldn't regular law enforcement (usually at the state level) be taking the lead? (I actually know why; cruelty and intimidation are the points)

Your Daily Stella: The movers delivered our stuff today, and Stella is happy to be back in her usual spot on the couch

Your Daily Stella: a quiet moment in the tiny dog park in our apartment complex (as opposed to the glorious one across the street)

zero gravity / zero-g / microgravity #etymology #wordorigins #language

Your Daily Stella: bedding down in a new but empty apartment

scrapple #etymology #wordorigins #language

voluntary / volunteer #etymology #wordorigins #language

redskin / red man #etymology #wordorigins #language

Your Daily Stella: she's taking to Texas and the new dog park

An old phrase given new life via Cold War intrigue and a story even Tom Clancy couldn’t make up #etymology #wordorigins #language #uspolitics #coldwar

Your Daily Stella: after some uncertainty, she's starting to dig this hotel life and definitely likes Hampton Inn more than La Quinta (in Meridian, Mississippi tonight)

Your Daily Stella: Natural Bridge, Virginia. Stella was not impressed. (But I was)

Heroic Dog Saves Family Of 5 From Herb-Roasted Chicken https://theonion.com/heroic-dog-saves-family-of-5-from-herb-roasted-chicken/

@bcdreyer.social has a terrific piece on ‘phonus balonus’ quotations.

Your Daily Stella: Bonus Oliver

Your Daily Stella: our girl and cousin Oliver banished from the kitchen while Christmas cooking is underway (Don't worry; they got more than their share of treatos throughout the day)

breaking bad #etymology #language #wordorigins

He ys ridinge a horse He ys emerald and svelte He will get reallye weirde If you lie about beltes The Greene Knighte Ys Cominge To Toun

Your Daily Stella: checking out the new "puppy" (And Merry Christmas everyone!)

Relatives Gather From Across The Country To Stare Into Screens Together https://theonion.com/relatives-gather-from-across-the-country-to-stare-into-1819575960/

Your Daily Stella: with Uncle Jim

keener #etymology #wordorigins #language #canada

Artist's rendering of the USS Defiant Trump-class battleship

2025 Wordorigins Words of the Year (WOTY) #language #wordorigins #woty

Your Daily Stella: Stella vs. the Evil Wrapping Paper

Is a lie bald-faced, bold-faced, or barefaced? #etymology #wordorigins #language

Your Daily Stella: hanging with Erik and Charles

Your Daily Stella: our last visit to this dog park, but there's one across the street from our new place in College Station

Not "nuns" #etymology #wordorigins #language #religion

Your Daily Stella

race / racism #etymology #language #wordorigins

Your Daily Stella: Enjoying the sunset over the IAS campus

A change from my usual fare of words and images of my dog, but here's something else I did over this past year #astrophotography

misdemeanor / high misdemeanor #etymology #wordorigins #language #uspolitics