Hello, all you NYT readers!

Submitted by Erin McKean on Sun, 07/29/2007 - 12:09.


Maybe you're here because of my On Language column today ... it would be great if I had tons more corpus content here, wouldn't it? But I'm on my way to Wikimania 2007, and don't have anything worthy of a whole blog post on the subject.

There was one gee-whiz corpus bit that didn't make it into the column, though: the words widget and gadget are often considered synonyms, but they have different usage patterns in the OEC: you sell, produce, make, and create widgets, but you buy, use, and have gadgets. What that says to me is that when it's at the factory, it's a widget, but when you pick it up off the shelf at the store, it magically turns into a gadget.

While you're waiting for more content, maybe you'd like to check out the Google Video of a Word-Lover's Boot Camp I did there a couple weeks ago? (Warning: nearly an hour. Sit in the comfy chair & get yourself something to drink.)

Or, you could always give a look-see to my other blog, A Dress A Day.

I'll be back soon!

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