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Etymology (Meaning of Words)/Expert Profile
Expertise
I have an interest in the meanings of words and phrases, as well as how and when they became part of the English language. I enjoy researching idioms, colloquialisms, dialects, and obscurities of all kinds. I prefer short questions on a particular subject, and I will not accept lengthy research projects or term papers. NOTE: ALLEXPERTS CLAIMS THAT I TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN AND FROM LATIN TO ENGLISH. I DO NOT. ALLEXPERTS REFUSES TO DELETE THE LATIN-TO-ENGLISH SERVICE -- ONE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE. TRUST ME ON THIS: ALLEXPERTS IS WRONG. I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LANGUAGE. LOOK FOR A LANGUAGE EXPERT INSTEAD. ETYMOLOGY AND TRANSLATING SERVICES ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. ALLEXPERTS SHOULD KNOW THAT. ALLEXPERTS DOES NOT KNOW THAT. I HAVE TRIED FOR MANY YEARS TO GET THEM TO CHANGE. THEY WILL NOT. SORRY, BUT I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN.
Experience in the area
I am the bibliographic instruction and reference librarian at a public
college. My master's thesis concerns William Faulkner's tragic novels. I formerly taught advanced placement English at two schools in the Philadelphia area.
I have been a member of the grammar and writing section of Allexperts
for more than a year.
Education/Credentials
Masters degrees in English, philosophy, and library science.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Bartel | 02/08/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | I am most grateful for Ted's assistance ..... |
| Sylvia Kent | 02/04/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Shellie | 11/11/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | This is the most awesome site on ..... |
| mike | 09/12/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Excellent explanation. |
| Henrik | 05/26/11 | 7 | 7 | 9 | they say that video comes from saknrit ..... |
Recent Answers from Ted Nesbitt
2012-01-31 Etymology:
Dear Sylvia: I apologize for being tardy in responding. I have been out of town for several days attending a conference, and I had no computer access. Of course, you can mention me to your students
2011-11-11 Colloquialisms:
Dear Shellie: According to "The Oxford English Dictionary," there was great enmity between the English and the Dutch in the 17th century. There were many phrases employed by the English to suggest
2011-09-11 meaning of bubkiss:
Mike: The word has many spellings, but the usual one is "bupkis." It is of Yiddish origin and was first used in the English language in 1937. Here is the complete entry from "The Oxford English
2011-05-25 video:
Dear Henrik: According to "The Oxford English Dictionary," the word "video" is directly from the Latin. It means, literally, "I see." ["Audio" is also from the Latin, meaning "I hear."] In tracing
2011-05-01 A British Expression perhaps?:
John: "With curtains" is listed in various slang dictionaries [and online at the Urban Dictionary] and is defined as "the female labia majora." When the reference is made to a man, it means he is uncircumcised
Answers by Expert:
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