Onomastics

Lost in Translation: Brand Name Blunders

Ever wonder what happens when a catchy brand name in English means something utterly embarrassing in another language? From cars…

3 weeks ago

Why Is Germany Not Called Deutschland?

Ever wondered why Germans call their country Deutschland, but we call it Germany? This linguistic puzzle is a perfect window…

3 weeks ago

How Do We Name a Hurricane?

Ever wondered why storms are named Katrina or Ian, and not Kevin? The process is a fascinating blend of history,…

3 weeks ago

The Politics of Place Names: Why Cities Change

From Bombay to Mumbai, place names are more than just labels on a map; they are battlegrounds for identity, power,…

3 weeks ago

Why Your Last Name Tells a Story

Your last name is more than just a label; it’s a linguistic fossil, a tiny time capsule carrying clues about…

3 weeks ago

Naming the Enemy: The Linguistics of Disease

The names we give diseases, from the ancient 'malaria' (bad air) to the clinical 'COVID-19,' are never just labels. They…

3 weeks ago

Lost in the Supermarket: Brand Name Linguistics

Why did the Chevy Nova supposedly fail in Spanish-speaking markets? This cautionary tale, though likely a myth, highlights the high-stakes…

3 weeks ago

The Grammar of Nicknames

Ever wonder why William becomes Bill, but not Willam? Or how a Russian Aleksandr affectionately becomes Sashenka? Nicknames follow a…

3 weeks ago

Reading the Landscape: How Forgotten Languages Are Fossilized in Place Names

What if the map on your wall was a Rosetta Stone, holding the key to forgotten languages and ancient migrations?…

3 weeks ago

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