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Welcome to Wordwizard

At Wordwizard we're interested in English, in particular the origins of English words or phrases, and English usage. But we're also happy to discuss any interesting aspect of the English language with like-minded people, and try to help anyone with a tricky letter or other writing project. To start, do visit our Clubhouse. You can see a list of some of the most recent discussions below: (you need to log in, or if you are not already a member, join the club to ask a question or contribute to an existing discussion). Do make sure you Search to see if the topic you want to discuss has already been covered (our archives date back to 1996).
But that's not all the site has to offer. Use the menus at the top of the page to browse through all that we have to offer and perhaps even to contribute. If you want a quick insight into all we offer, have a look at the sitemap.
Whatever you're looking for, we hope you enjoy your visit. Do let us know if you think we can improve the site or maybe just to tell us we're doing a great job!

 Some quick hints 

If you are just looking for the meaning of a word (with an outline of origin), have a look at our extensive list of links to reliable online dictionaries and other resources or try Merriam-Webster or the Compact Oxford English Dictionary. 500 online dictionaries are covered by OneLook.
You will also find a wealth of useful links to other language-oriented sites in our Links pages and a browse through our Clubhouse will always provide interesting and stimulating discussion.

 

 From our Famous Quotations 

Coco Chanel

As long as you know that most men are like children you know everything. ...

Read the full quotation here.


See all our quotations here.

 Some recent discussions 

Put more credit on (12 posts), Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:46 pm
another question on su... (1 post), Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:10 am
recommend and tense se... (1 post), Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:54 am
university (16 posts), Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:53 am
Nigeria Russia Gas (2 posts), Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:50 am
Some specialties (9 posts), Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:30 pm
habit of starting (3 posts), Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:27 pm
Find out about another... (3 posts), Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:02 pm
delayed response (5 posts), Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:44 pm
"Put off weight&q... (12 posts), Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:22 pm
Need a word (2 posts), Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:48 pm
lest (3 posts), Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:51 pm
smash-mouth (5 posts), Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:05 pm
kithing or kissing cou... (8 posts), Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:25 pm
green with envy / eggcorn (18 posts), Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:58 am
Won't say a single word (3 posts), Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:15 pm
speechifyin' (13 posts), Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:13 pm
Just in case (2 posts), Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:25 pm
Still smiling (2 posts), Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:46 am
Motor-bikes (5 posts), Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:31 am
5 more days slowest (5 posts), Sat Jun 27, 2009 4:11 pm
On behalf of (3 posts), Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:37 pm
Rolling/turning over i... (5 posts), Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:11 pm
make a sharp turn (7 posts), Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:39 am
we'll see what comes out (3 posts), Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:33 am
death knell (19 posts), Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:15 am

 Language news 

In Asia, English tongues still tied

DECADES after the Australian rock group Men at Work asked "Do you speak-a my language?", the likely answer Down Under is no.

Australia is the third most monolingual nation in the world, a report by the Griffith Asia Institute says. Three-quarters of the population speak only English.

Within 30 years half of Australia must be fluent in an Asian language or risk falling further behind other countries, says the report, Building An Asia-Literate Australia: An Australian Strategy For Asian Language Proficiency.

Its lead author, Michael Wesley, director of the Griffith Asia Institute, said the country was suffering from a less well-known skills shortage: the ability to operate in different cultures and languages.

"As China's and India's influence spreads, and Japan and Indonesia become major players, our region will increasingly conduct its business in the languages of the big Asian powers, and be shaped by their mindsets and preferences," the report said.

Read more here.

Date: 11 Jun 2009


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