By Philologos
A soccer game and Israel’s national anthem are the subjects of this week’s column.Read More
By Philologos
Is the newly uncovered tomb in Jerusalem one of the earliest known Christian burial sites? The language used in an inscription offers important clues to Philologos.
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By Philologos
The Yiddish word for witch is a nasty word to use about your mother. It also provides sca-a-a-a-ry case study in the changing face of linguistics for Philologos.
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By Philologos
Philologos’ columns on the possible origins of the famed Jewish toast has drawn sacks of mail from linguistically inclined readers. Drink up and read his final verdict!
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By Philologos
An ancient expression meaning a gazelle’s raised horn was switched to the plain vanilla ‘my strength increased’ in a new translation of the Bible into modern Hebrew.
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By Philologos
Does the famed toast ‘l’chaim’ date back to a Byzantine custom of testing wine for poison? Philologos prefers to believe it evolved from an ancient expression meaning, ‘all right.’
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By Philologos
A reader objects to the word ‘Yahweh,’ which he finds offensive. Philologos says it’s a legitimate Biblical term and no one has to read it if they don’t want to.
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By Philologos
Soccer fans borrowed the term ‘Jew goal’ to apply to an easy score. Philologos says the term is an anti-Semitic insult, but teams may be happy to have plenty of ‘em.
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By Philologos
Jews have been toasting with the expression ‘L’chaim’ for centuries. Philologos investigates a reader’s complaint that we may have been wrong for just as long.
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By Philologos
Words are always changing and there’s no point in fighting ‘linguistic apostasy,’ a reader says. Philologos doesn’t entirely agree, especially when it comes to ‘gay.’
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