The Word Nerd: Feminist organized first Mother’s Day in 1908
Thanks to the efforts of American Ann Jarvis, Mother’s Day began as a way of honouring the sacrifices Mothers made for their children.
Bringing you the issues since 1986 
Articles written by: Howard Richler
Columnists
Columnists
The Word Nerd: Deconstructing austerity, which once meant stormy weather
Austerity — a much despised term. Judging by the manner the word is ejaculated by some people, you’d get the impression ‘austerity’ represents a form of financial waterboarding.
Columnists
The Word Nerd: How Persian words were bequeathed to anglos
The time is ripe to take stock of the western world’s debt to the Persian language.
Columnists
The Word Nerd: Indian spice flavours today’s English
India is second only to the U.S. in the number of English speakers, with 125 million, or 10 per cent of its population, speaking the language of Shakespeare.
Columnists
Word Nerd: We are a distinct society after all
The Oxford Companion to the English Language is missing an “s” at the end of its title.
Columnists
Word Nerd: Deconstructing Political ED (Electile Dysfunction)
On August 2 the writ was dropped in Canada. … Actually, no writ is dropped; writs of election are issued.
Columnists
Word Nerd: OED is for lovers — language lovers
The online edition of the Oxford English Dictionary affords word lovers a myriad of ways to explore the English language.
Columnists
Word Nerd: English is flooded with words from away
Alas, because language is in a constant state of flux, a lexicographer’s work is never done. The first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), replete with 414,825 words, was completed in 1928 and ceremonial presentations were made to President Calvin Coolidge and His Majesty King George V. Supplements ensued […]
Columnists
Word Nerd: Expressions we love to hate
Think outside the box. The tip of the iceberg. At the end of the day …
Columnists
Word Nerd: Orange you glad it’s not called red?
Dedicated readers of the Word Nerd column might remember that five years ago I explained that, lexicographically, at least, there is no debate that the egg preceded the chicken.
What you said