Rob Watts (RobWords)
@robwords.bsky.social
YouTube word nerd. Happy host of RobWords and the podcast Words Unravelled.
https://www.youtube.com/robwords
https://www.youtube.com/@wordsunravelled
https://www.youtube.com/robwords
https://www.youtube.com/@wordsunravelled
I only just learned about this too.
November 19, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I only just learned about this too.
Yes, it's definitely worth one.
November 19, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Yes, it's definitely worth one.
Was he a mate of yours?
November 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Was he a mate of yours?
I reckon in British English we're referring to the genre (as you would "entertainment") and in the States they're referring to the activities themselves in the plural ("Ooh, look at all these sports").
November 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I reckon in British English we're referring to the genre (as you would "entertainment") and in the States they're referring to the activities themselves in the plural ("Ooh, look at all these sports").
Yeah, I have to check myself every time I say it (which, thankfully, isn't that often).
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Yeah, I have to check myself every time I say it (which, thankfully, isn't that often).
I don't know for certain but I always assumed they were being treated as different verbs: one meaning "to dangle" and the other meaning "to punish by hanging". The former is irregular and the latter is regular.
November 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I don't know for certain but I always assumed they were being treated as different verbs: one meaning "to dangle" and the other meaning "to punish by hanging". The former is irregular and the latter is regular.
Well spotted! Mandaringlish
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Well spotted! Mandaringlish
Well, maybe, but it'd be in the OED entry if they knew about it. As it is, they don't recognise roiling boil at all (even though people clearly say it).
Of the two, I'd have thought the repetitive "oi" sound made roiling boil the more likely eggcorn.
Isn't the idea a continuous, "rolling" boil?
Of the two, I'd have thought the repetitive "oi" sound made roiling boil the more likely eggcorn.
Isn't the idea a continuous, "rolling" boil?
November 12, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Well, maybe, but it'd be in the OED entry if they knew about it. As it is, they don't recognise roiling boil at all (even though people clearly say it).
Of the two, I'd have thought the repetitive "oi" sound made roiling boil the more likely eggcorn.
Isn't the idea a continuous, "rolling" boil?
Of the two, I'd have thought the repetitive "oi" sound made roiling boil the more likely eggcorn.
Isn't the idea a continuous, "rolling" boil?
Roiling boil is more fun, though.
November 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Roiling boil is more fun, though.
It's a rolling boil. First citation in OED is "Fill the tank two-thirds full of water and bring to a hard, rolling boil." from 1940.
November 12, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It's a rolling boil. First citation in OED is "Fill the tank two-thirds full of water and bring to a hard, rolling boil." from 1940.
It's perfect, isn't it?
November 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM
It's perfect, isn't it?
I'll stick it on the list!
November 10, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I'll stick it on the list!
You keep watching, I'll keep making.
November 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM
You keep watching, I'll keep making.
Great question. I dont think there is, thus I feel a pressing, urgent need to resurrect "micturient".
Note also, "cacaturient" 💩
Note also, "cacaturient" 💩
November 9, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Great question. I dont think there is, thus I feel a pressing, urgent need to resurrect "micturient".
Note also, "cacaturient" 💩
Note also, "cacaturient" 💩
Excellent! And thanks for sharing.
November 9, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Excellent! And thanks for sharing.
Indeed, Mr. Robert. And the plot thickens: my dad has no memory of Dobbin the Donkey. I have no idea where I got it from.
November 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Indeed, Mr. Robert. And the plot thickens: my dad has no memory of Dobbin the Donkey. I have no idea where I got it from.
Yeah! Although someone was telling me they'd had it in a ham sandwich 🤷
Won't knock it 'til I've tried it.
Won't knock it 'til I've tried it.
November 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Yeah! Although someone was telling me they'd had it in a ham sandwich 🤷
Won't knock it 'til I've tried it.
Won't knock it 'til I've tried it.
There is zero chance I won't enjoy it. It was a delight to be involved.
November 3, 2025 at 11:14 AM
There is zero chance I won't enjoy it. It was a delight to be involved.