Quickie: The origin of “to 86” and other diner numbers

This classic Straight Dope has the skinny on the origins of the phrase “to 86.” It was, apparently, “diner code,” and Cecil Adams gives other examples. Some seem faintly ridiculous–“19 = ‘I yearn for a banana split’”–but it’s the best etymology I’ve seen for this phrase.

Cool things to do with books (besides read them)

Via Blue Tea, two artists that create miniature dioramas using books as their medium. Su Blackwell‘s scenes are part Joseph Cornell, part fairy tale (not that Cornell’s works aren’t themselves fairy tale). Thomas Allen uses pulp covers in much the same way, though I’d say his work is more humorous (perhaps inherently so, due to … Continue Reading

The Colossus of New York

I love New York with a love that can be considered unhealthy, and Colson Whitehead’s (what an unfortunate last name) The Colossus of New York had received rave reviews. “Pitch-perfect,” one reviewer wrote. Maybe I’m just not hip enough, but the book didn’t grab me. Maybe I’m too much of a journalist, but I wanted … Continue Reading

New York Times: Face-to-face communication better than e-mail

Flickr:mrjorgen New findings have uncovered a design flaw at the interface where the brain encounters a computer screen: there are no online channels for the multiple signals the brain uses to calibrate emotions. Face-to-face interaction, by contrast, is information-rich. We interpret what people say to us not only from their tone and facial expressions, but … Continue Reading

Words that end in “-gry” and more

AskOxford.com asks: “Apart from ‘angry’ and ‘hungry’, what other common English word ends in ‘-gry’?” The answer may surprise you. More: There are no words that rhyme with orange, but what’s the other common English word with no rhymes? The opposite of nocturnal is diurnal, but what do you call animals that come out at … Continue Reading

Typo of the day

Seen on a Craigslist ad: “Compensation commiserate with experience.” On second thought, considering its place of origin, maybe that wasn’t a typo..

Five ways to improve your writing with maps

flickr:retro traveler Maps, the stylish merger of form and function, are the easiest way to impart certain types of information. Can you imagine what travel would be like if all travel directions were verbal only? Ick. Maps can help you with your writing, too. I don’t mean outlines or “mind maps” or the like, though … Continue Reading

Colorful words

Flickr: laffy4k A long time ago someone suggested I write about color words. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not an artist and that most of my color knowledge comes from the Crayola Box of 64. But it’s true, color words are fascinating. For example, vermillion comes from the Latin for “little worm”–there … Continue Reading