Grace Tierney
@wordfoolery.bsky.social
Word history - books, blog, LMFMRadio
Comedyfic - Channillo
Love to read, craft, garden in Ireland
My Books - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Weekly Word Blog - http://www.wordfoolery.wordpress.com/
Newsletter - subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers
Comedyfic - Channillo
Love to read, craft, garden in Ireland
My Books - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Weekly Word Blog - http://www.wordfoolery.wordpress.com/
Newsletter - subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers
Pinned
Grace Tierney
@wordfoolery.bsky.social
· Nov 20
“Words Christmas Gave Us” festive history
“Words the Vikings Gave Us” Norse nouns
“Words the Sea Gave Us” nautical words
"Modern Words with Old Roots" avatar to zarf
“How To Get Your Name In The Dictionary” eponyms
#etymology paperback #Kindle
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
“Words the Vikings Gave Us” Norse nouns
“Words the Sea Gave Us” nautical words
"Modern Words with Old Roots" avatar to zarf
“How To Get Your Name In The Dictionary” eponyms
#etymology paperback #Kindle
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
#mysteryword Day2 - the perfect put-down, which makes me look at the Romans in a different light. #etymology
January 2, 2026 at 10:47 AM
#mysteryword Day2 - the perfect put-down, which makes me look at the Romans in a different light. #etymology
#mysteryword Day 1 #etymology
Altiloquence - pompous language. 1700s. From Latin altus (high) and loquor (to speak)
Hopefully my month of mystery words won't be too pompous.
Altiloquence - pompous language. 1700s. From Latin altus (high) and loquor (to speak)
Hopefully my month of mystery words won't be too pompous.
January 1, 2026 at 2:36 PM
#mysteryword Day 1 #etymology
Altiloquence - pompous language. 1700s. From Latin altus (high) and loquor (to speak)
Hopefully my month of mystery words won't be too pompous.
Altiloquence - pompous language. 1700s. From Latin altus (high) and loquor (to speak)
Hopefully my month of mystery words won't be too pompous.
If you like history (especially global history, not just the Tudors and WWII, again) and enjoy comedy - this podcast is for you. Highly recommended.
Exciting news!!!
YOU’RE DEAD TO ME returns tomorrow for series 11
We launch with an episode about Emperor Nero, with the stellar cast of @wmarybeard.bsky.social & @pattonoswalt.bsky.social
It’ll only be available in the UK on BBC SOUNDS for the first month, then globally on other apps after
YOU’RE DEAD TO ME returns tomorrow for series 11
We launch with an episode about Emperor Nero, with the stellar cast of @wmarybeard.bsky.social & @pattonoswalt.bsky.social
It’ll only be available in the UK on BBC SOUNDS for the first month, then globally on other apps after
January 1, 2026 at 11:38 AM
If you like history (especially global history, not just the Tudors and WWII, again) and enjoy comedy - this podcast is for you. Highly recommended.
Happy New Year - may it be book-filled, wordy, and spent with those you love!
Like last year I will be sharing one mystery word every day this month (to cheer up my January) - follow along using the #MysteryWord hashtag
Like last year I will be sharing one mystery word every day this month (to cheer up my January) - follow along using the #MysteryWord hashtag
January 1, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Happy New Year - may it be book-filled, wordy, and spent with those you love!
Like last year I will be sharing one mystery word every day this month (to cheer up my January) - follow along using the #MysteryWord hashtag
Like last year I will be sharing one mystery word every day this month (to cheer up my January) - follow along using the #MysteryWord hashtag
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is Hogmanay.
This particularly Scottish festival lasts from the 31st of December to the 2nd of January. The term may come from the Anglo-Saxon haleg monath (holy month) but others claim it’s from the Scandinavian term hoggo-nott (yule). #etymology 🧵
This particularly Scottish festival lasts from the 31st of December to the 2nd of January. The term may come from the Anglo-Saxon haleg monath (holy month) but others claim it’s from the Scandinavian term hoggo-nott (yule). #etymology 🧵
December 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is Hogmanay.
This particularly Scottish festival lasts from the 31st of December to the 2nd of January. The term may come from the Anglo-Saxon haleg monath (holy month) but others claim it’s from the Scandinavian term hoggo-nott (yule). #etymology 🧵
This particularly Scottish festival lasts from the 31st of December to the 2nd of January. The term may come from the Anglo-Saxon haleg monath (holy month) but others claim it’s from the Scandinavian term hoggo-nott (yule). #etymology 🧵
I'm much more laid back at midnight, but if you like energetic celebrations, the muppets do it best. Happy New Year!
December 31, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I'm much more laid back at midnight, but if you like energetic celebrations, the muppets do it best. Happy New Year!
Agnieska’s son had made friends with Yolande’s and another boy and they were showing each other the dual language books. She pointed at them. “This. This is why I do it.”
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
December 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Agnieska’s son had made friends with Yolande’s and another boy and they were showing each other the dual language books. She pointed at them. “This. This is why I do it.”
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
This week in Castle Bailey Library, Nina the librarian hosts a multi-lingual Story Time with help from Bob the Library Bear, volunteer readers Yolande and Agnieska.
channillo.com/series/the-l... #irishfiction #librarylife #serial
channillo.com/series/the-l... #irishfiction #librarylife #serial
The Librarian's Secret Diary
<p>Nina is the new librarian on the block. She’s learning the shelves with her buzzword-spouting boss and the senior librarian who hates reading and can’t wait to retire. She records the crazy reader ...
channillo.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This week in Castle Bailey Library, Nina the librarian hosts a multi-lingual Story Time with help from Bob the Library Bear, volunteer readers Yolande and Agnieska.
channillo.com/series/the-l... #irishfiction #librarylife #serial
channillo.com/series/the-l... #irishfiction #librarylife #serial
This week on Wordfoolery - the pilgrimage origin of a horse's canter. wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/29/t... #etymology #toponym
a man is riding a black horse in a black and white photo
ALT: a man is riding a black horse in a black and white photo
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
This week on Wordfoolery - the pilgrimage origin of a horse's canter. wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/29/t... #etymology #toponym
Reposted by Grace Tierney
The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little."
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
December 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little."
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
2026 is going to be a good reading year. Here's my pile of Christmas gift books - can't wait to get started! #amreading #booksky
December 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
2026 is going to be a good reading year. Here's my pile of Christmas gift books - can't wait to get started! #amreading #booksky
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is twixtmas.
You won’t find twixtmas formally accepted in traditional dictionaries, yet, but it is defined as the period between Christmas and New Year, typically the 27th to the 30th of December.
#etymology 🎄🧵
You won’t find twixtmas formally accepted in traditional dictionaries, yet, but it is defined as the period between Christmas and New Year, typically the 27th to the 30th of December.
#etymology 🎄🧵
December 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is twixtmas.
You won’t find twixtmas formally accepted in traditional dictionaries, yet, but it is defined as the period between Christmas and New Year, typically the 27th to the 30th of December.
#etymology 🎄🧵
You won’t find twixtmas formally accepted in traditional dictionaries, yet, but it is defined as the period between Christmas and New Year, typically the 27th to the 30th of December.
#etymology 🎄🧵
Today's word for #ChristmasWordfoolery is Boxing Day / St Stephen's Day.
Both relate to the 26th of December. Boxing Day is the more common term in Britain, while Saint Stephen’s Day is adhered to by most people living in Ireland.
#etymology #history 🧵🎄
Both relate to the 26th of December. Boxing Day is the more common term in Britain, while Saint Stephen’s Day is adhered to by most people living in Ireland.
#etymology #history 🧵🎄
December 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Today's word for #ChristmasWordfoolery is Boxing Day / St Stephen's Day.
Both relate to the 26th of December. Boxing Day is the more common term in Britain, while Saint Stephen’s Day is adhered to by most people living in Ireland.
#etymology #history 🧵🎄
Both relate to the 26th of December. Boxing Day is the more common term in Britain, while Saint Stephen’s Day is adhered to by most people living in Ireland.
#etymology #history 🧵🎄
Happy Christmas!
#ChristmasWordfoolery Gift - 1200s, from gipt in Old Norse.
#ChristmasWordfoolery Gift - 1200s, from gipt in Old Norse.
December 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Happy Christmas!
#ChristmasWordfoolery Gift - 1200s, from gipt in Old Norse.
#ChristmasWordfoolery Gift - 1200s, from gipt in Old Norse.
This week on the blog - the history of the word chivvy - with some help from the Scottish borders, a famous ballad, and an American comedian - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/b... #etymology
December 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This week on the blog - the history of the word chivvy - with some help from the Scottish borders, a famous ballad, and an American comedian - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/b... #etymology
Today on #ChristmasWordfoolery it's Tipsy Eve and I blogged about it last year - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2024/12/23/h.... Cheers!
a mason jar filled with watermelon slices and limes
ALT: a mason jar filled with watermelon slices and limes
media.tenor.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Today on #ChristmasWordfoolery it's Tipsy Eve and I blogged about it last year - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2024/12/23/h.... Cheers!
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is solstice.
Solstice entered the English language in the mid 1200s via Old French from Latin’s solstitium - the point at which the sun seems to stand still. That was compounded from sol (sun) and the verb sistere (to stand still or take a stand). #etymology 🧵
Solstice entered the English language in the mid 1200s via Old French from Latin’s solstitium - the point at which the sun seems to stand still. That was compounded from sol (sun) and the verb sistere (to stand still or take a stand). #etymology 🧵
December 21, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is solstice.
Solstice entered the English language in the mid 1200s via Old French from Latin’s solstitium - the point at which the sun seems to stand still. That was compounded from sol (sun) and the verb sistere (to stand still or take a stand). #etymology 🧵
Solstice entered the English language in the mid 1200s via Old French from Latin’s solstitium - the point at which the sun seems to stand still. That was compounded from sol (sun) and the verb sistere (to stand still or take a stand). #etymology 🧵
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is carol.
Carol comes from Late Latin choraula (a choral song) and a Greek verb choraulein (to accompany a chorus on a reed instrument or flute).
#etymology #history 🧵🎄🎵
Carol comes from Late Latin choraula (a choral song) and a Greek verb choraulein (to accompany a chorus on a reed instrument or flute).
#etymology #history 🧵🎄🎵
a cartoon of peanuts singing merry christmas with a christmas tree in the background
ALT: a cartoon of peanuts singing merry christmas with a christmas tree in the background
media.tenor.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is carol.
Carol comes from Late Latin choraula (a choral song) and a Greek verb choraulein (to accompany a chorus on a reed instrument or flute).
#etymology #history 🧵🎄🎵
Carol comes from Late Latin choraula (a choral song) and a Greek verb choraulein (to accompany a chorus on a reed instrument or flute).
#etymology #history 🧵🎄🎵
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is Scrooge because #onthisday (19th Dec) in 1843 Dickens published "A Christmas Carol". #etymology #history 🧵🎄📚
a close up of a man 's face with the words bah humbug below him
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with the words bah humbug below him
media.tenor.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is Scrooge because #onthisday (19th Dec) in 1843 Dickens published "A Christmas Carol". #etymology #history 🧵🎄📚
Later today I'll be in studio, chatting to Gerry on the Late Lunch about Christmas words. We did this last year but we have more for you including the histories of hark, stocking, fairy lights, Wenceslas, and our mystery word is Oniomania. Tune in at 2 at www.lmfm.ie (I'll share podlink later).
December 19, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Later today I'll be in studio, chatting to Gerry on the Late Lunch about Christmas words. We did this last year but we have more for you including the histories of hark, stocking, fairy lights, Wenceslas, and our mystery word is Oniomania. Tune in at 2 at www.lmfm.ie (I'll share podlink later).
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is saturnalia because today (17th) is the first day of the festival.
Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture. We have him to thank for the word Saturday. The planet Saturn is named in honour of this god too but... 🧵🎄📚 #history
Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture. We have him to thank for the word Saturday. The planet Saturn is named in honour of this god too but... 🧵🎄📚 #history
an artist 's impression of the planet saturn and its moon mercury
ALT: an artist 's impression of the planet saturn and its moon mercury
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is saturnalia because today (17th) is the first day of the festival.
Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture. We have him to thank for the word Saturday. The planet Saturn is named in honour of this god too but... 🧵🎄📚 #history
Saturn was the Roman god of agriculture. We have him to thank for the word Saturday. The planet Saturn is named in honour of this god too but... 🧵🎄📚 #history
I, however, do not have servants, a fact which was brought home to me when I entered the library building and found Linda frowning at the desk. “Good Morning,” I trilled at her.
“That’s a matter of opinion.” She scowled at me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
“That’s a matter of opinion.” She scowled at me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
a close up of a white cat 's face with big eyes .
ALT: a close up of a white cat 's face with big eyes .
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I, however, do not have servants, a fact which was brought home to me when I entered the library building and found Linda frowning at the desk. “Good Morning,” I trilled at her.
“That’s a matter of opinion.” She scowled at me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
“That’s a matter of opinion.” She scowled at me.
#1linewed "The Librarian's Secret Diary"
The latest episode of "The Librarian's Secret Diary" is out now on Channillo. Nina has accidentally double-booked school events for World Book Day and even dressing as Oscar Wilde won't save her from Linda's wrath. channillo.com/series/the-l... #serial #irishfiction #librarylife
The Librarian's Secret Diary
<p>Nina is the new librarian on the block. She’s learning the shelves with her buzzword-spouting boss and the senior librarian who hates reading and can’t wait to retire. She records the crazy reader ...
channillo.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The latest episode of "The Librarian's Secret Diary" is out now on Channillo. Nina has accidentally double-booked school events for World Book Day and even dressing as Oscar Wilde won't save her from Linda's wrath. channillo.com/series/the-l... #serial #irishfiction #librarylife
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is pudding.
The origins of Christmas pudding pre-dates the Victorians. The first puddings were medieval sausages made with fat, spices, dried fruits, meat, grains, and vegetables packed into animal intestines for preservation purposes. #ChristmasHistory 🧵🎄📚 #etymology
The origins of Christmas pudding pre-dates the Victorians. The first puddings were medieval sausages made with fat, spices, dried fruits, meat, grains, and vegetables packed into animal intestines for preservation purposes. #ChristmasHistory 🧵🎄📚 #etymology
a christmas pudding with holly on top is on a blue and white plate
ALT: a christmas pudding with holly on top is on a blue and white plate
media.tenor.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is pudding.
The origins of Christmas pudding pre-dates the Victorians. The first puddings were medieval sausages made with fat, spices, dried fruits, meat, grains, and vegetables packed into animal intestines for preservation purposes. #ChristmasHistory 🧵🎄📚 #etymology
The origins of Christmas pudding pre-dates the Victorians. The first puddings were medieval sausages made with fat, spices, dried fruits, meat, grains, and vegetables packed into animal intestines for preservation purposes. #ChristmasHistory 🧵🎄📚 #etymology
Wordfoolery Whispers is out on Fri 19th Dec. Read about a Secret Library, Wordfoolery Christmas Events, Blog Highlights, Good Books and histories for bombologist, mediocre, bribery, lalochezia, and slubberdegullion. Subscribe at subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers & please confirm email. #etymology
December 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Wordfoolery Whispers is out on Fri 19th Dec. Read about a Secret Library, Wordfoolery Christmas Events, Blog Highlights, Good Books and histories for bombologist, mediocre, bribery, lalochezia, and slubberdegullion. Subscribe at subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers & please confirm email. #etymology