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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 Book Reviews 

Eats, Shoots & Leaves

By Lynne Truss

For a book on punctuation to become a number one bestseller in the UK and in the USA, it must be something very special - perhaps. Written by a self-professed stickler living "in a world of rapidly plummeting punctuation standards", the book claims to be a rallying call: "Sticklers un ...

Read the full review here.

See all our book reviews here.

 Some recent discussions 

niff naff, niffnaff, n... (4 posts), Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:10 am
bloody liar (4 posts), Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:09 pm
Has hated for years (6 posts), Wed Jul 28, 2010 5:54 pm
triptych (not a three ... (4 posts), Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:22 pm
shoddy (2 posts), Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:50 am
clothes press (11 posts), Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:53 am
slipshod & down at... (6 posts), Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:49 am
I'll get it (4 posts), Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:16 pm
Interpretation of peac... (10 posts), Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:14 pm
Journalism and the Cat... (9 posts), Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:15 am
Garden Path Sentences (23 posts), Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:47 am
hold (4 posts), Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:40 am
The food is cold (4 posts), Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:37 pm
Should I really care i... (38 posts), Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:21 pm
Twisted definitions (53 posts), Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:23 pm
Real shoes (3 posts), Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:40 pm
impacted (3 posts), Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:51 am
Digest the food (3 posts), Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:56 am
how to punctuate (6 posts), Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:45 am
shindig (2 posts), Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:01 pm
Why translation softwa... (13 posts), Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:37 pm
good to go (3 posts), Sun Jul 18, 2010 4:43 pm
skive / skive off (10 posts), Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:06 am
God blesses you! (3 posts), Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:11 pm
Bottoms up! (9 posts), Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:01 pm
** Challenge: Topical ... (39 posts), Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:54 am

 Language news 

Stephen Fry reveals new BBC TV series

Planet Word, a five-part series, will cover language – but it's 'a bit of a secret', Fry tells 14-year-old interviewer

Read more here.

Date: 21 Jul 2010

For more news, click here

 

 Competition results 

Competition

Wordwizard will shortly be starting a series of writing competitions - strictly for fun. Watch this space for more information!

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