@andrewcgrant.bsky.social
Pinned
Lots of opportunities to catch me this spooky season in and around #VancouverBC . I'm always adding more so keep an eye on my stories. And if you're a producer and would like to book me, my DMs are open so feel free to drop me a message!
#comedian #upcomingevents
#comedian #upcomingevents
In honour of #RememberanceDay , I'm examining the phrase "the First #WorldWar ", how it appears distressingly early, and what that says about humanity
#Etymology #history #lestweforget #language #linguistics #words #English #wwi #wwii
#Etymology #history #lestweforget #language #linguistics #words #English #wwi #wwii
November 11, 2025 at 6:44 PM
In honour of #RememberanceDay , I'm examining the phrase "the First #WorldWar ", how it appears distressingly early, and what that says about humanity
#Etymology #history #lestweforget #language #linguistics #words #English #wwi #wwii
#Etymology #history #lestweforget #language #linguistics #words #English #wwi #wwii
My #Roman Empire is how the word "fascinate" may have its origin in an obscene #symbol . I refused to believe it until it smacked me in the face.
#etymology #history #pendant #linguistics #words #english #latin #fascinating #evileye
#etymology #history #pendant #linguistics #words #english #latin #fascinating #evileye
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
My #Roman Empire is how the word "fascinate" may have its origin in an obscene #symbol . I refused to believe it until it smacked me in the face.
#etymology #history #pendant #linguistics #words #english #latin #fascinating #evileye
#etymology #history #pendant #linguistics #words #english #latin #fascinating #evileye
Reposted
The 'lady' in 'ladybugs' refers to the Virgin Mary.
First of all, there are over 5,000 varieties of ladybugs.
However, the first type of these beetles to be called a 'ladybug' had 7 spots which were thought to symbolize the 7 sorrows she suffered.
First of all, there are over 5,000 varieties of ladybugs.
However, the first type of these beetles to be called a 'ladybug' had 7 spots which were thought to symbolize the 7 sorrows she suffered.
November 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The 'lady' in 'ladybugs' refers to the Virgin Mary.
First of all, there are over 5,000 varieties of ladybugs.
However, the first type of these beetles to be called a 'ladybug' had 7 spots which were thought to symbolize the 7 sorrows she suffered.
First of all, there are over 5,000 varieties of ladybugs.
However, the first type of these beetles to be called a 'ladybug' had 7 spots which were thought to symbolize the 7 sorrows she suffered.
It can be difficult to stay #lockedin when you #WFH with #ADHD but there are advantages too. Nothing helps do low priority tasks quite like avoiding a high priority one.
#priorities #cleaning #procrastination #focus #deadline
#priorities #cleaning #procrastination #focus #deadline
November 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
It can be difficult to stay #lockedin when you #WFH with #ADHD but there are advantages too. Nothing helps do low priority tasks quite like avoiding a high priority one.
#priorities #cleaning #procrastination #focus #deadline
#priorities #cleaning #procrastination #focus #deadline
#LifeLessons for the younger generations from a #millennial entering #MiddleAge
You might call it #TMI but you learning this now can save you a lot of #discomfort later
#aging #health
You might call it #TMI but you learning this now can save you a lot of #discomfort later
#aging #health
November 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
#LifeLessons for the younger generations from a #millennial entering #MiddleAge
You might call it #TMI but you learning this now can save you a lot of #discomfort later
#aging #health
You might call it #TMI but you learning this now can save you a lot of #discomfort later
#aging #health
Autological #words describe themselves. Heterological words don't. But not even facts and #logic can solve the #paradox of whether heterological is autological or heterological
#philosophy #meaning #semantics #contradiction
#philosophy #meaning #semantics #contradiction
November 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Autological #words describe themselves. Heterological words don't. But not even facts and #logic can solve the #paradox of whether heterological is autological or heterological
#philosophy #meaning #semantics #contradiction
#philosophy #meaning #semantics #contradiction
A horse walks into your face: this proposed #etymology of "wallop" is just too good not to share.
Like many #English #words , wallop is of uncertain origin BUT there's a theory that "wallop" and "gallop" are linguistic doublets. I really want it to be true.
#linguistics #language
Like many #English #words , wallop is of uncertain origin BUT there's a theory that "wallop" and "gallop" are linguistic doublets. I really want it to be true.
#linguistics #language
November 6, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A horse walks into your face: this proposed #etymology of "wallop" is just too good not to share.
Like many #English #words , wallop is of uncertain origin BUT there's a theory that "wallop" and "gallop" are linguistic doublets. I really want it to be true.
#linguistics #language
Like many #English #words , wallop is of uncertain origin BUT there's a theory that "wallop" and "gallop" are linguistic doublets. I really want it to be true.
#linguistics #language
#Guarantee and #warranty share an #etymology but came to #English via different languages
Because if "warranty" ever breaks, it's nice that they'll give us a replacement.
#linguistics #words #language #cognate #synonyms
Because if "warranty" ever breaks, it's nice that they'll give us a replacement.
#linguistics #words #language #cognate #synonyms
November 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM
#Guarantee and #warranty share an #etymology but came to #English via different languages
Because if "warranty" ever breaks, it's nice that they'll give us a replacement.
#linguistics #words #language #cognate #synonyms
Because if "warranty" ever breaks, it's nice that they'll give us a replacement.
#linguistics #words #language #cognate #synonyms
What is a #continent has less to do with #geography and more to do with #culture because different countries and groups use multiple competing models from 7 continents down to only 4.
#map #atlas
#map #atlas
November 4, 2025 at 8:19 PM
What is a #continent has less to do with #geography and more to do with #culture because different countries and groups use multiple competing models from 7 continents down to only 4.
#map #atlas
#map #atlas
People seem to lose their #accent when #singing because we treat our accents as the default. #Music and the physical act of singing can cause the suppression of characteristic features leading to anl more ambiguous accent
#linguistics #voice #pronunciation #intonation #vocals
#linguistics #voice #pronunciation #intonation #vocals
November 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
People seem to lose their #accent when #singing because we treat our accents as the default. #Music and the physical act of singing can cause the suppression of characteristic features leading to anl more ambiguous accent
#linguistics #voice #pronunciation #intonation #vocals
#linguistics #voice #pronunciation #intonation #vocals
Finally switched my primary #computer #OS to #Linux after years of threatening to and decades of using it on secondary machines off-and-on. 90% of things just worked out of the box but getting that last 10% in place has been as frustrating as it has been rewarding.
#tech #nerd #geek #opensource
#tech #nerd #geek #opensource
November 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
For such a spooky and fun #holiday , #Halloween has a surprisingly boring name. It's less scary and more Scottish.
#etymology #English #linguistics #language #words #fall #autumn #october
#etymology #English #linguistics #language #words #fall #autumn #october
October 31, 2025 at 6:26 PM
For such a spooky and fun #holiday , #Halloween has a surprisingly boring name. It's less scary and more Scottish.
#etymology #English #linguistics #language #words #fall #autumn #october
#etymology #English #linguistics #language #words #fall #autumn #october
#Acetaminophen and #paracetamol are different names for the same #medication and following different naming conventions
#chemistry #etymology #linguistics #words #drug #medicine #painrelief #chemical #Tylenol #Panadol
#chemistry #etymology #linguistics #words #drug #medicine #painrelief #chemical #Tylenol #Panadol
October 30, 2025 at 6:08 PM
#Acetaminophen and #paracetamol are different names for the same #medication and following different naming conventions
#chemistry #etymology #linguistics #words #drug #medicine #painrelief #chemical #Tylenol #Panadol
#chemistry #etymology #linguistics #words #drug #medicine #painrelief #chemical #Tylenol #Panadol
Moving an event "forward" can mean it's earlier or later depending on your #concept of #time
The #perspective and conceptualizations we bring to #language affects our #interpretation of it. Some are so ingrained that we don't realize a different #meaning is even possible
#linguistics #cognition
The #perspective and conceptualizations we bring to #language affects our #interpretation of it. Some are so ingrained that we don't realize a different #meaning is even possible
#linguistics #cognition
October 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Moving an event "forward" can mean it's earlier or later depending on your #concept of #time
The #perspective and conceptualizations we bring to #language affects our #interpretation of it. Some are so ingrained that we don't realize a different #meaning is even possible
#linguistics #cognition
The #perspective and conceptualizations we bring to #language affects our #interpretation of it. Some are so ingrained that we don't realize a different #meaning is even possible
#linguistics #cognition
Lexicalization turns #words into fixed units that can't be decomposed (e.g. few people think of "vitamins" as "vital aminos") and it's why I missed this incredibly obvious #etymology for #PennyFarthing (the bike with the giant wheel).
Be seeing you 👁️👌
#linguistics #english #lexicon #embarrassing
Be seeing you 👁️👌
#linguistics #english #lexicon #embarrassing
October 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Lexicalization turns #words into fixed units that can't be decomposed (e.g. few people think of "vitamins" as "vital aminos") and it's why I missed this incredibly obvious #etymology for #PennyFarthing (the bike with the giant wheel).
Be seeing you 👁️👌
#linguistics #english #lexicon #embarrassing
Be seeing you 👁️👌
#linguistics #english #lexicon #embarrassing
I get told #ILookLike a lot of people, from Garron Noone to Mick Foley to Son Wukon. Some I agree with, some not so much. So I'm celebrating my #OneYearAnniversary as a #ContentCreator by rating some from my comments (and a couple from real life).
#lookalike #appearance
#lookalike #appearance
October 26, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I get told #ILookLike a lot of people, from Garron Noone to Mick Foley to Son Wukon. Some I agree with, some not so much. So I'm celebrating my #OneYearAnniversary as a #ContentCreator by rating some from my comments (and a couple from real life).
#lookalike #appearance
#lookalike #appearance
The new #Vancouver Art #Museum is a boondoggle that wasted $60 million to turn a #parkinglot into a worse #parking lot (they also removed temporary supportive housing)
I support the arts and some of this was outside of the project management's control but it feels like a waste of #taxpayer money
I support the arts and some of this was outside of the project management's control but it feels like a waste of #taxpayer money
October 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The new #Vancouver Art #Museum is a boondoggle that wasted $60 million to turn a #parkinglot into a worse #parking lot (they also removed temporary supportive housing)
I support the arts and some of this was outside of the project management's control but it feels like a waste of #taxpayer money
I support the arts and some of this was outside of the project management's control but it feels like a waste of #taxpayer money
"Writing an exam" means different things in #Canadian and #American #English . In #Canada , the #STUDENT writes an exam but in the #USA it's the #TEACHER
#linguistics #language #dialect #semantics #sociolinguistics
#linguistics #language #dialect #semantics #sociolinguistics
October 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"Writing an exam" means different things in #Canadian and #American #English . In #Canada , the #STUDENT writes an exam but in the #USA it's the #TEACHER
#linguistics #language #dialect #semantics #sociolinguistics
#linguistics #language #dialect #semantics #sociolinguistics
Reposted
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY SORRY FOR OUR DELAY WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS A REAL DAY.
October 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY SORRY FOR OUR DELAY WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS A REAL DAY.
#English speakers have a hidden preference for how we order #pronouns . It's not due to #grammar but rather to societal attitudes regarding #politeness . #Language IS a social phenomenon
But explaining it can make you sound like you're doing an Abbott and Costello routine
#linguistics #manners
But explaining it can make you sound like you're doing an Abbott and Costello routine
#linguistics #manners
October 23, 2025 at 5:21 PM
#English speakers have a hidden preference for how we order #pronouns . It's not due to #grammar but rather to societal attitudes regarding #politeness . #Language IS a social phenomenon
But explaining it can make you sound like you're doing an Abbott and Costello routine
#linguistics #manners
But explaining it can make you sound like you're doing an Abbott and Costello routine
#linguistics #manners
Epenthesis, adding extra sounds to #words , is a #PetPeeve for many #language speakers but it's just splitting hairs. Or, rather, splitting awkward sound clusters
#linguistics #phonetics #pronunciation
#linguistics #phonetics #pronunciation
October 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Epenthesis, adding extra sounds to #words , is a #PetPeeve for many #language speakers but it's just splitting hairs. Or, rather, splitting awkward sound clusters
#linguistics #phonetics #pronunciation
#linguistics #phonetics #pronunciation
I'm celebrating my #OneYear #ContentCreation #anniversary . It's a lot of work but I've loved learning about the topics I talk about and some of the conversations that have come out of it.
#SmallCreator #creativity #creation #dothething #motivation #accomplishment
#SmallCreator #creativity #creation #dothething #motivation #accomplishment
October 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I'm celebrating my #OneYear #ContentCreation #anniversary . It's a lot of work but I've loved learning about the topics I talk about and some of the conversations that have come out of it.
#SmallCreator #creativity #creation #dothething #motivation #accomplishment
#SmallCreator #creativity #creation #dothething #motivation #accomplishment
There are multiple explanations for why #Jack is a #nickname for #John but I choose to believe the funny one.
This was a really fun rabbit hole to go down and it's another example of how an #etymology can be interesting but not all that useful.
#linguistics #language #words #names #English #Dutch
This was a really fun rabbit hole to go down and it's another example of how an #etymology can be interesting but not all that useful.
#linguistics #language #words #names #English #Dutch
October 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
There are multiple explanations for why #Jack is a #nickname for #John but I choose to believe the funny one.
This was a really fun rabbit hole to go down and it's another example of how an #etymology can be interesting but not all that useful.
#linguistics #language #words #names #English #Dutch
This was a really fun rabbit hole to go down and it's another example of how an #etymology can be interesting but not all that useful.
#linguistics #language #words #names #English #Dutch